Chapter 2 - Stand Up Vivian noticed him when his shadow reached the puddle.
She straightened.
“Oh.”
Stallone crouched beside Lily.
He did not speak to Vivian.
He simply held out his hand.
Lily stared at it.
Then she looked toward her father.
Grant said nothing.
That hesitation told Stallone more than words could.
Lily slowly placed her tiny hand in Stallone’s palm.
He helped her stand.
Her knees were red.
Her shoe strap had come loose.
“You're okay,” he said quietly.
Vivian folded her arms.
“She made the mess.”
Stallone looked at the brush.
Then at the child.
“She’s three.”
Vivian smiled coldly.
“And?”
“She doesn't need to earn forgiveness by cleaning a floor.”
Several guests lowered their eyes.
Vivian stepped closer.
“This is my family.”
Stallone stood.
“Then act like it.”
Her face hardened.
“You don't know anything about this child.”
“No.”
He looked toward Grant.
“But her father does.”
Grant felt every pair of eyes in the room turn toward him.
He should have said something.
Instead, Vivian reached for Lily.
The child instinctively stepped backward.
That tiny movement was enough.
Stallone moved between them.
“Don't.”
Vivian's voice became sharp.
“Get out of my house.”
Stallone remained still.
Then Vivian shoved his shoulder.
The room gasped.
What happened next would be replayed online thousands of times.
Vivian slapped him.
Stallone struck her once.
Grant charged.
One punch later, Grant crashed into a cocktail table.
Glass exploded across the marble.
Lily screamed.
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“DADDY!”
And the party became a crime scene.
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