David stepped rapidly across the shiny foyer floor toward his wife.
His face showed anger and confusion under the bright lighting.
He tried to step between Sarah and his mother defensively.
His leather dress shoe slipped suddenly on the wet marble floor.
David lost his balance completely and lunged forward awkwardly.
He fell hard onto the hard stone with a heavy thud.
His briefcase slid away across the polished floor with a screech.
Sarah stepped back swiftly while keeping Claire wrapped in the blanket.
David scrambled to sit up while groaning in pain and embarrassment.
He looked up at Sarah with wide, shocked eyes.
Sarah pointed a single accusing finger down at her fallen husband.
Sarah: Don't you dare pretend you didn't know!
David: Know what, Sarah?! What are you talking about?!
Sarah: Look at your daughter's face right now, David!
David turned his head slowly to look up at Claire.
The little girl peeked out from behind the grey blanket.
The bandage on her head was visible under the bright lights.
The red bruises under her eyes were impossible to miss now.
David's expression shifted instantly from anger to complete horror.
He pushed himself up off the ground with trembling hands.
David: Claire... sweetie, what happened to you?
Eleanor: David, do not listen to this dramatic emotional display.
Eleanor: The girl had a minor trip while playing outside earlier.
Sarah: She forced her to scrub floors while injured!
Sarah: You left our daughter alone with this monster!
David looked back and forth between his mother and Sarah.
A heavy realization settled over his face in that moment.
He remembered the faint bruises he noticed weeks ago.
He had dismissed them back then because Eleanor laughed them off.
Now the truth was staring at him right in the face.
David: Mother... what did you do to her?
Eleanor: I am raising her with proper discipline, David!
Sarah: We are leaving this house right this second.