Mark rushed down the hall and reached the grand curved staircase instantly.
He saw his tiny son crying on the landing holding his little knee.
Mark sprinted down the steps and scooped the toddler into his arms gently.
He held Toby close against his chest to soothe his hysterical crying.
His heart raced with pure fear as he checked his son for injuries.
The toddler pressed his face into his father's shirt while trembling softly.
Mark turned his head fast and glared up at Brenda near the steps.
His eyes burned with intense anger that Brenda had never seen before.
Mark: You dared hurt my son in my own home?
Brenda stumbled back against the white wall and clutched the wooden railing.
Her face went completely pale as she realized Mark was truly furious.
Brenda: I did not push him at all Mark!
Brenda: I was just walking down the stairs when it happened!
She raised her hand and pointed her finger straight toward young Lily.
Brenda: She pushed him because she was jealous of him!
Lily stood at the top of the stairs with her mouth open.
Tears welled up in the eight-year-old girl's brown eyes immediately.
Lily: That is a complete lie Brenda!
Lily: You grabbed his arm and knocked him right off balance!
Brenda wiped her forehead and looked at Mark with wide desperate eyes.
Brenda: Do not listen to a child Mark she is confused!
Brenda: She has been hostile toward me ever since we got married!
Mark looked between his young daughter and his new defensive wife.
The silence in the grand foyer was heavy and extremely tense now.
Toby continued to sob softly while cradled safe in Mark's strong arms.
Mark loved his daughter dearly and knew she was always truthful.
Yet Brenda sounded completely confident in her harsh accusation against the child.
Mark: Lily is this true did you touch your brother?
Lily: No dad I would never hurt my little brother ever!
Brenda stepped forward on the marble floor with a firm expression.
Brenda: Children lie when they know they are in big trouble Mark.
Brenda: You need to discipline her right now for this dangerous behavior.
Lily wiped her face with the sleeve of her pink sweater quickly.
She walked down three steps and pointed straight up at the high ceiling.
Lily: Dad check the camera mounted right above the main door.
Brenda froze instantly as her eyes shifted up toward the white wall.