The silver clock on the mantelpiece chimed quietly to signal six o'clock.
Clara babbled happily while patting her little hands on the wooden high chair tray.
She reached toward a glass dish filled with colorful cranberry sauce nearby.
Megan turned around for just a brief second to grab napkins from the counter.
Amber suddenly leaned over toward the high chair with a furious glare on her face.
She slammed her hand down onto the wooden tray with terrifying force.
Amber: Stop touching everything, you spoiled little monster!
The loud sudden bang made little Clara jump back in complete panic.
The tiny baby immediately burst into loud, heartbroken tears and gasped for air.
Megan spun around instantly, her heart racing fast with sudden fear and protectiveness.
She rushed over and immediately scooped Clara into her safe, loving arms.
The royal blue fabric of Megan's sweater wrapped gently around the crying baby.
Megan: What is wrong with you, Amber?! Why would you scream at her?!
Amber: She was going to ruin the table setting, Megan!
Megan: She is an infant! She doesn't even know what a table setting is!
Amber stood up slowly from her chair with a bitter smile across her face.
She showed zero remorse or regret for scaring an innocent ten-month-old child.
Amber: You spoil her just like you expect everyone else to spoil you!
Megan: You need to leave this house right now before things get worse!
Amber: I am not going anywhere until I say what I came here to say!
David walked out of the kitchen after hearing the frantic crying from his daughter.
His face turned dark as he saw his wife holding their trembling baby girl.
He stepped directly between Amber and his shaken young family.
The peaceful holiday mood had completely shattered into pure shock and anger.
David stared straight into Amber's eyes with an intense, unyielding gaze.
David: Did you just scream in my daughter's face in my own home?
Amber: Oh, don't act so heroic, David, it was barely anything at all!
David: Raise your voice at my family again and see what happens!
Amber stepped back slightly, surprised by the fierce authority in David's steady voice.
She realized very quickly that she had pushed her cruel mind games too far.
Yet her stubborn pride kept her from apologizing for her terrible actions.
She scoffed loudly and tried to act completely unbothered by the tense moment.
Clara clung tightly to her mother's sweater, hiding her face completely.
Megan patted her baby's back while trying to hold back her own furious tears.
She had tolerated Amber's constant jealousy for many years without ever fighting back.
But seeing her sister frighten her innocent baby was something she could never forgive.