Vanessa stepped up to Lily and bent down until her furious face was only inches from the girl’s nose.

“You’re an ungrateful, spoiled brat,” Vanessa hissed straight into Lily’s face.

“Just like your quiet, worthless father.”

I got up from my chair.

The wooden legs scraped loud and hard over the hardwood floor, cutting Vanessa off mid-breath.

“Step away from my daughter, Vanessa,” I said.

Vanessa spun around to face me, her eyes wide and wild beneath the dining room light.

“Or what?” she spat, her right foot tapping frantically on the floor.