Mark took a deep breath and looked down at Clara kneeling on the cold wooden floor.
He remembered the day he first bought this massive house seven years ago after his business grew.
Clara had been there since the very beginning, helping him organize his chaotic life and home.
She always made sure he ate dinner and stayed healthy during his hardest working hours.
Victoria stepped closer to Mark and put her hand on his dark suit jacket sleeve gently.
She tried to pout her lips to look cute, thinking she could easily manipulate him again.
Victoria: She was being disrespectful to me, honey, so I had to discipline her.
Mark: Do not touch me, Victoria.
Victoria: Are you seriously taking the side of a maid over your own legal wife?
Mark: I am taking the side of decent human dignity and respect.
Victoria pulled her hand back quickly as if she had been burned by a hot stove.
Her sweet expression vanished instantly, replaced by an ugly and bitter scowl of annoyance.
She looked down at Clara with pure disgust in her sharp eyes and crossed her arms.
Victoria: She is just hired help that we pay a monthly salary to clean up.
Mark: You know nothing about this woman or what she means to this house.
Victoria: I know she is useless and needs to be fired immediately today!
Sarah raised her head and looked up at Victoria with tears streaming down her face.
Sarah: Mrs. Clara is sick today, ma'am, she has a very high fever!
Victoria: Shut your mouth, Sarah, nobody asked for your opinion right now!
Mark felt a strong wave of protective fury wash over his entire body and mind.
He stepped closer to Victoria until he was standing just inches away from her face.
He lowered his voice to a dangerous whisper that made Victoria shiver with sudden fear.
Mark: You are done living in this house, Victoria.
Victoria: What are you talking about? You cannot kick me out of my own home!
Mark: This is not your home, and it never truly was yours to begin with.
Victoria tried to step past him toward the stairs, but Mark blocked her path firmly.
He pushed her back gently but firmly, causing her to lose her balance on the floor.
She fell backward onto the wet floor, her expensive gown soaking up the dirty water.
Victoria: How dare you treat me like this! I am your wife!
Mark: And Clara is the woman who raised me when I had nothing.