Mark adjusted his dark necktie in the quiet entry hall of his suburban estate.
The afternoon sun hit the marble floor through the tall front windows.
He looked up at the large American flag hanging near the top stairs.
His seven-year-old daughter Lily was playing quietly with her wooden blocks upstairs.
Mark felt a deep heavy tension in his chest about his new marriage.
He had married Sarah six months after meeting her at a charity event.
She seemed kind and loving toward Lily during their early dating days.
Lately her attitude toward the small child had changed very sharply.
Sarah wanted full control of the family estate and the family inheritance.
Mark owned a growing transport company worth millions of dollars.
He had created a trust fund for Lily to secure her entire future.
Sarah constantly asked questions about the legal terms of the trust fund.
She wanted her name added to the main bank accounts right away.
Mark refused to change the legal paperwork until she showed true devotion.
Sarah came down the grand staircase wearing a plain grey shirt and jeans.
Her face looked dark and full of cold irritation this afternoon.
Sarah: Why is that child always leaving her toys near the railing?
Mark: She is just a little girl playing in her own home, Sarah.
Sarah: This home needs order and real strict rules from now on.
Mark: Lily obeys the rules, so please do not start an argument today.
Mark checked his wrist watch and picked up his heavy leather briefcase.
He had an important legal meeting with his corporate divorce lawyer down town.
The lawyer had prepared papers to protect Lily's full inheritance rights.
Sarah watched Mark walk toward the heavy front door with narrow eyes.
She held a thick folder of financial documents behind her back secretly.
Sarah: Are you going to see your lawyer about the family estate again?
Mark: Yes, I am making sure Lily's trust fund is totally secure.
Sarah: I am your wife, and I deserve equal access to those assets.
Mark: My daughter comes first, and that will never change, Sarah.
Mark opened the front door and stepped out into the bright driveway.
He felt a strange feeling of worry deep in his stomach as he left.
He decided to finish his legal meeting as quickly as possible today.