The flashing red and blue lights illuminated the high stained-glass windows of the front foyer. Outside, heavy tires crunched across the gravel driveway as three police cruisers came to a sharp stop in front of the stone steps.
Victoria dropped her leather handbag onto the polished floor. She stumbled backward until her back hit the grand staircase banister, trapped like a cornered animal inside the very house she had tried to claim.
Victoria: Richard, please! Think of the family name! Think of Vance Enterprises on the news!
Richard: The only thing I care about is protecting my kids from you.
The front doors burst open, and Captain Davis led three uniformed officers into the grand entryway, their hands resting on their holsters as they assessed the situation.
Police Officer: Mr. Vance! Are you and the children secure?
Richard: My children are locked safely in my study. The suspect is right here.
Victoria: Officer, this is a massive family misunderstanding! My stepson is hysterical after an unfortunate domestic accident!
Richard: Captain, I have the cloud backup footage saved right here on this flash drive. It shows her dragging the chair and pushing my daughter over the third-floor balcony.
Captain Davis took the encrypted drive from Richard's hand and handed it immediately to the forensics officer standing beside him.
Police Officer: Place her under arrest for attempted murder and child endangerment.
Victoria: Keep your hands off me! Do you know who I am? My lawyer will have your badges for this!
The two officers stepped forward and pulled Victoria's arms behind her back, clicking heavy stainless steel handcuffs tightly onto her wrists.
Victoria: Richard! Tell them to stop! You are ruining everything!
Richard: You ruined yourself the second you put your hands on Mia.
As the officers marched Victoria out the front door, she screamed and cursed, her silk suit rumpled as she was forced into the back of a police cruiser in broad daylight.
Richard turned away from the door and walked briskly up the grand staircase toward his study. He knocked twice on the heavy wooden door with a steady rhythm.
Richard: Leo, it's Daddy. You can open the door now, son.
The lock clicked from the inside, and the door swung open. Leo stood there, holding Mia's small hand while she clutched her favorite stuffed teddy bear close to her chest.
Leo: Is she gone, Daddy?
Richard: She's gone, Leo. She's never coming back here again.
Richard dropped to his knees and pulled both of his children into a massive, warm hug, resting his chin on Leo's shoulder as tears of relief finally filled his eyes.
Mia: Daddy, is Grandma Victoria mad at us?
Richard: No, sweetheart. She's just going away for a very long time so we can all be safe.
Leo: I kept Mia safe just like you said, Daddy.
Richard: You did more than that, Leo. You saved our entire family today.