Richard: Come on, let’s get your bags into the car. The penthouse is fully stocked, and we can order whatever food you want tonight.
Lily: Dad... how did you know to come home early? You were supposed to be in New York until next Friday.
Richard: I called your phone three nights in a row, and it went straight to voicemail. Then I called your art instructor, and she told me you hadn't been in class for two weeks.
Lily: She lied to you? Evelyn told you I was sick?
Richard: Evelyn texted me from her own phone claiming you had the flu and wanted to be left alone to sleep. But my instinct told me something was terribly wrong. A father always knows when his child is in trouble.
Lily: I tried to escape twice, Dad. But she locked the electric gates and told the security guards not to let me pass the driveway.
Richard: Those security guards are fired as of today. Everyone who enabled this behavior will face consequences.
They walked out onto the sunlit driveway where Richard’s black SUV was parked beside the police cruiser. The Dallas sun was warm, reflecting brightly off the windshields.
Richard: Tomorrow morning, Arthur is filing the final divorce papers and securing a permanent protective order. You will never have to see or speak to that woman ever again.
Lily: What about the trust fund papers she made me sign?
Richard: Totally invalid. In fact, my legal team is suing her for civil damages and emotionally abusive conduct. Anything she thought she was going to get out of our marriage is completely gone.
Lily: I don't care about the money, Dad. I just wanted my dad back.
Richard stopped, wrapping his arms around his daughter in a tight, protective hug. Lily leaned her head against his chest, shedding tears of relief instead of tears of pain.
Richard: You have me, Lily. Always. Nobody is ever going to hurt you again.
Lily: Can we go home now?
Richard: We're going home right now. And first thing tomorrow, we are getting you enrolled in the summer art academy you wanted to go to in California.
Lily: Really? You're still letting me go?
Richard: Of course I am. You earned your freedom, Lily. Now it's time to live your life.
Richard opened the passenger door for his daughter, helping her into the front seat before loading her luggage into the trunk. As he drove down the long driveway and past the iron gates, Lily looked back one last time at the massive mansion, knowing that her long nightmare was finally over, and her real life was just beginning.