The heavy doors slammed open with a loud wooden crash that echoed through the home.
Mark rushed into the kitchen, his sharp charcoal grey suit crisp against the bright room.
His face transformed from mild confusion into absolute horror as he took in the scene.
Victoria stopped mid-motion, her arm frozen in the air with the raised wooden stick.
Her face went completely pale as her cruel expression melted into sudden panic and shock.
She gasped loudly and lowered her arm, trying desperately to hide the wooden cane behind her.
Lily: Daddy!
The small tearful voice cut straight through Mark's heart like a sharp silver blade.
Lily looked up from Elena's protective arms, her big wet eyes red from heavy crying.
Mark stopped near the marble kitchen island, staring at his trembling daughter on the floor.
His hands clenched into tight hard fists at his sides as his jaw tightened in fury.
A deep dramatic silence fell over the kitchen as the truth hung heavy in the air.
Mark slowly turned his gaze from his crying daughter directly onto his pale wife.
His eyes blazed with an intense, raging anger that Victoria had never seen before.
Victoria took a nervous step backward, her expensive high heels clicking against the marble floor.
The wooden cane slipped from her hand and fell with a loud clattering sound on the ground.
Victoria: Mark darling, you are home so early today!
Mark: What were you doing with that stick?
Victoria: It is not what it looks like at all!
Mark: Do not lie to me right now!
Victoria: Lily was being extremely disobedient and careless!
Elena: That is not true Mr. Sterling!
Mark stepped forward rapidly, pointing a trembling finger straight at Victoria's terrified face.
Mark: How dare you threaten my child in my own home!
Victoria stumbled backward against the grey kitchen counter, clutching her chest in total disbelief.