Marcus: Ellen, look at me right now. Where is my wife?
Ellen: She... she told me to clean the floor before you landed, Mr. Hall.
Marcus: Who told you that?
Ellen: Mrs. Hall. Your new wife, Victoria.
Marcus felt a cold chill run down his spine. He reached down and picked up Maya, holding her small body close against his chest.
Marcus: Maya, look at Daddy. Are you hurt?
Maya: My face hurts a little, Daddy. Victoria pushed me when I tried to stop her.
Marcus: Pushed you? Why would she push you?
Maya: Mommy was crying on the floor in the study. She told Victoria to stop taking her medicine away.
Marcus: Victoria told me your mother checked into a private clinic in Zurich three days ago!
Maya: Mommy never went on the plane. She was locked in the basement room under the stairs.
High heels clicked sharply across the marble foyer outside the kitchen entrance.
Victoria: Marcus? Darling, is that you? You're home early from your business trip!
Victoria stepped into the light of the kitchen, wearing an elegant cream-colored silk dress and carrying a leather handbag.
Victoria: Why are the lights so low in here? Ellen, why haven't you finished preparing dinner?
Marcus: Victoria. Where is Evelyn?
Victoria paused, her bright smile fading for just a fraction of a second before setting her bag on the island.
Victoria: Darling, we discussed this on the phone yesterday. Evelyn is at the Zurich recovery institute.
Marcus: Is she?
Victoria: Yes, of course! The doctors said her treatment requires total isolation for six weeks. No calls, no visits.
Marcus: Then why is my daughter's shirt covered in fresh blood?
Victoria looked down at Maya, her dark eyes narrowing slightly as she took a slow step back.
Victoria: Marcus, don't be dramatic. The child had a nosebleed while playing in the garden.
Maya: It wasn't a nosebleed! Victoria hit Mommy with the heavy iron tray!
Victoria: Marcus, you aren't going to believe a confused seven-year-old over your own wife, are you?
Marcus: Evelyn is still my legal wife, Victoria. You are my step-wife by a civil union you forced through last month.
Victoria: I am the one managing your family trust fund while Evelyn is mentally unstable!
Marcus: My wife was never mentally unstable until you started handling her prescriptions six months ago!
Victoria: That is an absurd accusation! I have sacrificed everything to care for this family!
Ellen: She's lying, Mr. Hall! She forced me to sign a non-disclosure agreement or she would fire my son from the firm!
Victoria: Shut your mouth, Ellen! You are a paid domestic worker in this house!
Marcus: Ellen, where is the key to the basement study?
Ellen: Victoria keeps it inside her leather handbag, sir.
Victoria reached for her bag on the counter, but Marcus stepped forward, snatching the leather purse from her grip.
Victoria: Give that back to me! You have no right to search my personal belongings!
Marcus: This is my home, built with my family's inheritance! I have every right!