Sarah held Lily tightly against her shoulder, rocking her back and forth to soothe her frantic crying.
Her mind was racing as she realized how close they had come to a medical emergency in their own house.
Clara stood near the dining table, adjusting the sleeves of her mustard sweater with a cool, nonchalant attitude.
Sarah: You actually put my child in danger on purpose!
Clara: Do not dramaticize this, Sarah, I have years of professional experience.
Sarah: You ignored the medical warnings written right on the fridge!
Clara: A tiny taste of peanut butter was barely anything at all!
Sarah: You were screaming at a infant who was crying for help!
Clara: She was being stubborn, and you are being completely unreasonable right now.
Sarah felt a sudden surge of protective fury that made her whole frame shake with rage.
She stepped closer to Clara, her voice trembling with absolute disbelief at the woman's sheer arrogance.
Sarah: Pack your things and get out of my home this instant!
Clara: You cannot fire me without paying out my full two-week contract balance!
Sarah: You lied about your qualifications and endangered my baby girl!
Clara: If you try to withhold my money, I will sue you for breach of agreement.
Clara took a step toward Sarah, reaching out her hand aggressively to snatch her tote bag off the table.
In her sudden movement, Clara bumped heavily against Sarah's shoulder, causing Sarah to stumble backward against the counter.
Sarah gasped in pain as her hip slammed into the edge of the granite countertop.
She gripped Lily tighter, protecting the baby from the physical commotion with her own body.
Clara glared at Sarah with cold eyes, showing no sympathy for the pain she had just caused.
Clara: You have no right to treat me like a criminal in this house.
Sarah: You are a threat to my family, Clara!
Clara: Nobody will take your word over my glowing background credentials.
Just as Clara finished her sentence, the front door rattled heavily on its hinges and swung wide open.
Mark walked into the home, carrying his leather briefcase after finishing a meeting early down the road.
He heard the loud shouting coming from the dining room and immediately sprinted down the corridor.
When he rounded the corner, he saw Sarah holding a sobbing baby while leaning against the counter in pain.
Clara was standing over them with a sneer on her face and her fists tightly clenched at her sides.
Mark stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with utter shock at the chaotic scene unfolding before him.