Jessica stood near the hallway archway with a bitter sharp fake laugh.
Jessica: Ask your precious husband where the family trust fund money went!
Sarah stopped patting the baby and looked up at Mark in surprise.
Sarah: What is she talking about right now, Mark?
Mark looked away toward the soft glowing lights on the tree.
Mark: Do not listen to her crazy desperate lies right now, Sarah.
Jessica: He withdrew fifty thousand dollars from Lily's college account yesterday!
The dining room went entirely silent except for the crackling fireplace hearth.
Sarah felt her stomach drop down into a deep dark endless pit.
Sarah: Mark, please look at me and tell me she lies!
Mark sighed deeply as his posture suddenly slouched down in defeat.
Mark: I had to pay off an old business debt, Sarah.
Jessica: He paid off my gambling debts to keep me quiet, sister!
Sarah stared at both of them in total complete unbelievable shock now.
Sarah: You used our daughter's future money to cover her secrets?!
Mark: She threatened to ruin our reputation before the grand holiday gala!
Jessica: He cared more about public appearance than his own baby's fund!
Sarah took two big steps back toward the warm kitchen archway door.
She held baby Lily tightly against her pounding royal blue sweater chest.
Sarah: Both of you get out of my sight right this second!
Mark: Sarah, please let me explain the full legal situation to you!
Sarah: I do not want to hear another word from either one!
Jessica smiled smugly as she adjusted her yellow sweater collar proudly.
Jessica: See, Sarah? Your perfect little life is totally broken now.