The emergency dispatcher answered the call after two clear rings.
Dispatcher: Emergency services, what is your location?
Dominic: I need police officers at the Vance estate right away.
Dispatcher: Sir, what is the nature of your emergency today?
Dominic: My mother-in-law held my wife captive in a hidden cellar.
Evelyn gasped and tried to reach for Dominic's phone screen.
Dominic blocked her hand effortlessly with his forearm strength.
Evelyn: Hang up that phone right now, Dominic!
Dominic: Send officers and an ambulance immediately, please.
Dispatcher: Units are dispatched and on their way, sir.
Dominic ended the call and put the phone in his pocket.
He pointed his finger directly at Evelyn's terrified face.
Dominic: You sit on those stairs and do not move an inch.
Evelyn: You are destroying this family's public reputation!
Dominic: You destroyed this family the moment you locked that door.
Clara leaned against the concrete wall and looked at Evelyn.
Tears of deep hurt flowed down Clara's pale face.
Clara: I trusted you as my mother, Evelyn.
Clara: How could you choose money over my actual life?
Evelyn: Your father built that estate fund for the business!
Evelyn: You were going to spend it on normal ordinary things!
Clara: It was my father's gift to Harper's future education.
Dominic walked back to Clara and picked her up gently.
He carried her carefully up the steep concrete basement stairs.
Harper held onto his pant leg as they walked back up.
Evelyn followed them slowly with her head hanging very low.
They emerged into the bright main hallway near the flag.
The sunlight poured through the front glass windows warmly.
Clara closed her eyes and felt the warm air on her face.
Clara: The light feels so good after that dark room.
Dominic: You are safe now, my love, I promise you.
Dominic set Clara down softly on the living room sofa.
He wrapped a warm wool blanket around her cold shoulders.
Harper climbed onto the sofa and hugged her mother tightly.
Harper: I am never leaving your side again, Mommy.
Clara: I love you more than anything, my sweet girl.
The distant sound of police sirens echoed down the road.