Mark pulled his cell phone quickly out of his jacket pocket.
He dialed his family attorney's direct office number without delay.
"Hello, Arthur? This is Mark. I have an emergency here."
"I need you to freeze our joint accounts immediately today."
Victoria reached out to grab Mark's phone from his hand.
Mark stepped back quickly, keeping his children safely behind him.
"Do not touch me right now, Victoria," Mark warned firmly.
"You have betrayed my trust and endangered our entire home."
Arthur spoke clearly through the phone speaker for them both.
"Mark, I can file a legal injunction within thirty minutes."
"We can stop any unauthorized transfers or foreclosure sales instantly."
"Do it now, Arthur," Mark instructed with clear determination.
"I will bring the documents to your downtown office shortly."
Mark ended the phone call and placed it back away.
He helped Emily stand up slowly onto her good leg.
He supported her weight gently as she leaned against his side.
"Come on, Emily, let us sit on the comfortable sofa."
Mark carried little Leo while guiding Emily into the living room.
Victoria followed them slowly, her red dress trailing behind her.
"Mark, please let us talk about this like adults."
"We have been married for seven years now, Mark!"
"And for seven years, I trusted you completely," Mark answered.
"You lied about our finances and terrified our small children."
"You made your choice when you signed those private loans."
Emily rested her head against the plush couch cushions softly.
"Daddy, my leg hurts a little bit now," she whispered.
Mark reached down to inspect her fiberglass leg cast closely.
He noticed a small crack along the side near her ankle.
"We are going to the hospital to check your cast."
"I want to make sure your leg is not hurt worse."
Victoria took a step forward to offer her assistance to them.
"I can drive us all to the emergency clinic, Mark."
"No, Victoria. You are going to stay right here today."