Mark pulled his blue suit jacket tight against the chill of the air conditioner.
He walked across the shiny marble floor of the Dallas mansion.
His heart beat fast as he held his baby boy tightly against his chest.
The little child whimpered softly inside his plush blue blanket.
Mark looked up toward the sweeping curved staircase in the center of the foyer.
His stepmother Evelyn stood at the top looking down with a cold expression.
Evelyn: You were never supposed to come back to this house today.
Mark: I came back to get my son's birth certificate and medical files.
Evelyn gripped the polished wooden handrail with her thin fingers.
Evelyn: Those records belong to the family estate now.
Mark: A child's legal documents belong to his father.
Evelyn slowly walked down the marble steps with measured grace.
Her pink evening gown rustled against the clean white stone steps.
Evelyn: You do not have the money to raise a baby here.
Mark: My financial situation is none of your concern.
Evelyn stopped three steps from the bottom and adjusted her gold necklace.
Evelyn: Your late father left this entire property to my management.
Mark: My father wanted his grandson to be raised with love and honesty.
Evelyn folded her arms across her chest with a firm sneer.
Evelyn: Love does not pay the property taxes on a Dallas estate.
Mark: You only care about the money in the family trust fund.
Evelyn stepped down onto the main floor and faced Mark directly.
Evelyn: Hand over the child and sign the custody waiver today.
Mark: I will never give up my parental rights to you.
Evelyn raised her voice as her eyes narrowed with dark ambition.
Evelyn: You have until sunset to pack your bags and leave!
Mark took a step back and shielded his child from her angry gaze.
Mark: We are leaving now, but my divorce lawyer will contact you tomorrow.
Evelyn reached out her hand toward the blue blanket aggressively.
Evelyn: Take the baby and get out of my sight!
Mark turned his shoulder away to protect the sleeping infant.
Mark: Keep your hands away from my son!
He turned around and marched toward the heavy oak front doors.
Evelyn called out after him with a loud warning that echoed across the high ceiling.
Evelyn: You will regret stepping out of those doors without my approval!
Mark did not stop to look back at her cold face.
He pushed the heavy brass door handle and stepped outside into the bright Texas daylight.