Arthur's heavy shoes pounded loudly against the white marble steps as he rushed straight upward.
Gwen backed away from the top railing while trembling in fear from Arthur's terrifying look.
She had never seen her calm husband display such pure, unbridled anger in her life.
Arthur reached the top landing in seconds and stood directly in front of his pale wife.
"What did you just do?" Arthur shouted, his voice shaking the quiet air of the mansion.
"It was an accident, Arthur! She slipped!" Gwen lied quickly while backing away further.
"I saw you shove her with my own eyes!" Arthur yelled with absolute authority and rage.
In a moment of pure defensive reaction, Arthur delivered a sharp slap across her face.
The strike echoed loudly through the high ceilings as Gwen's head snapped back to the side.
Gwen stumbled backward over her own feet and collapsed onto the polished white floor.
She clutched her stinging cheek with both hands while tears burst out of her eyes.
"You hit me!" Gwen sobbed from the floor while staring up at him in complete disbelief.
"You almost took my daughter's life today!" Arthur roared as he stepped closer to her.
He pointed his finger directly at her face while standing underneath the wall display behind him.
An American flag hung proudly on the wall, framing Arthur's tall and demanding dark figure.
"Don't you ever dare touch my child again!" Arthur declared with absolute firm finality.
"Arthur, please forgive me, I lost my temper!" Gwen begged from the cold marble ground.
"Get out of my house right now!" Arthur commanded, pointing straight toward the front entrance.
Gwen looked into his eyes and realized that her life of luxury was completely over.
There was no room for negotiation, second chances, or excuses after what had just happened.