Alana: Marcus... you... you hit me?
Alana stumbled backward against the banister, her hands trembling as she touched her burning, reddened face. Tears filled her eyes, mixing with her heavy eyeliner.
Marcus: SHE IS MY DAUGHTER! YOU GET LOST!
Alana: Marcus, please! She spilled juice on the white rug! She was disrespecting me!
Marcus: I don't care if she spilled paint across the entire house! You will never speak to my child like that again!
Alana: I'm going to be your wife! I have a right to discipline her!
Marcus: You will never be my wife. The wedding is canceled.
Marcus pointed his arm forcefully toward the heavy double entrance doors at the end of the hall, his voice echoing like thunder.
Marcus: GET OUT OF MY HOUSE NOW!
Alana: You can't throw me out! My name is on the guest list for the charity gala tonight! My dress is upstairs!
Marcus: If you aren't off my property in two minutes, I will have security throw you out into the street in front of every news camera in the city.
Alana gasped, her face turning pale as she looked from Marcus's furious eyes down to Lily, who was still trembling on the floor.
Alana: You're choosing this little brat over me?
Marcus: I choose my daughter every single time. Leave.
Alana stumbled back in complete humiliation, turning on her high heels and fleeing down the marble hallway, her soft sobs echoing until the heavy front door slammed shut behind her.
The moment the door clicked closed, the intense rage drained from Marcus's face. He immediately dropped to both knees on the cold marble, reaching out with open arms.
Marcus: Lily... baby, come here.
Lily let out a fresh wave of tears and threw herself into her father's arms. Marcus pulled her close, resting his chin on top of her head as he rocked her back and forth.
Lily: Daddy... she said I didn't belong here. She said you were going to send me away to school...
Marcus: Hush now, sweetie. Nobody is sending you anywhere. This is your home. It will always be your home.
Lily: She screamed so loud, Daddy. I was so scared.
Marcus: I know, baby. I'm so sorry I wasn't here sooner. I promise you, she will never come through those doors again.
Marcus held his daughter tightly, but his eyes drifted up toward the upper floor where his private office sat. The anger in his heart was far from gone. He knew Alana hadn't just mistreated his daughter today—she had been hiding a massive lie from him for over six months.
Marcus: Lily, stay here with Mrs. Gable for a few minutes while I go upstairs, okay?
Lily: You aren't leaving me, right?
Marcus: Never. I'm just going to grab some papers from my desk.
Marcus kissed her forehead gently, standing up as the head housekeeper, Mrs. Gable, rushed into the foyer with a warm glass of milk for the little girl.
Mrs. Gable: I've got her, Mr. Sterling. Poor sweet thing... that woman was a nightmare the second you left for the office.
Marcus: Thank you, Mrs. Gable. Lock the front gates. Don't let anyone in.
Mrs. Gable: Right away, sir.
Marcus turned around and walked up the staircase, his jaw set firm as he reached his private study and opened the top drawer of his desk.