Mark stood up slowly while holding little Lily firmly against his chest.
His jaw clenched tightly as uncontainable rage rose within his eyes.
He stepped directly into Brenda's personal space near the vanity counter.
Brenda backed away slightly as the air in the room grew heavy.
Mark: Don't you ever touch her or lie to me again!
Brenda: Mark, you have to believe me over a rebellious child!
Elena: She is telling a complete lie, Mr. Davis!
Elena stepped fully into the luxurious bathroom with her chest rising fast.
Brenda glared at the housekeeper with pure venom in her dark eyes.
Brenda: Be quiet, Elena! You are just a hired house servant!
Elena: I saw you take that gold necklace from the office earlier!
Elena: You broke it yourself and frightened this poor sweet girl!
Brenda's face turned pale as the sharp accusation hung in the air.
She reached out to grab Mark's sleeve with trembling fake desperation.
Brenda: She is making things up because she hates me, Mark!
Mark pulled his arm away forcefully from Brenda's desperate physical grasp.
He looked at Elena with total trust forged over ten long years.
Mark: Is this true, Elena? Did she break it on purpose?
Elena: Yes sir, I watched her lock the bathroom door right after.
Elena: She wanted to frame Lily so you would think she's unstable.
Mark felt a sickening knot form deep inside his heavy stomach.
He looked down at his daughter who was still shaking softly.
Mark: Pack your bags and leave my house right now, Brenda.
Brenda: You can't just throw your lawful wife out like this!
Mark: Watch me do exactly that if you don't start moving.
Brenda backed out of the room while screaming furious curse words.
She swore that she would take half of everything he owned.
Mark carried Lily gently downstairs into the quiet comfortable living room.
He knew this battle for his family was far from truly over.