The next morning, bright sun lit up the dining room.
Mark prepared a warm bowl of oatmeal for Lily.
The little girl ate happily in her high chair.
Her smile returned after a good night of rest.
Evelyn walked into the room wearing a black dress.
She slapped a white envelope onto the wooden table.
Evelyn: My lawyer sent this letter early this morning.
Mark: I do not care about your lawyer's demands.
Evelyn: I am demanding half of this luxury mansion.
Mark: This mansion belongs entirely to Lily's inheritance trust.
Evelyn: I contributed to this household for a year!
Mark: You spent my money on expensive luxury clothes.
Evelyn stepped closer to the dining room table angrily.
Evelyn: I raised your child while you worked late!
Mark: You treated her like a burden every day.
Evelyn: She is a brat who never obeys rules!
Mark: She is a two-year-old child who needed love.
Lily looked up with wide, worried eyes at Evelyn.
Mark moved between Evelyn and his small daughter instantly.
Mark: Do not speak to her or near her.
Evelyn: You are making the biggest mistake of your life.
Mark: Leaving you is the smartest decision I ever made.
The doorbell rang loudly through the front living space.
Mark walked toward the main entryway to open it.
Two police officers stood on the concrete porch outside.
Mark welcomed them into the high-ceiling entryway hallway.
Officer Smith: Good morning sir, we received a welfare call.
Mark: Thank you for coming so quickly to my house.
Officer Smith: Is the minor child safe inside right now?
Mark: Yes, she is eating breakfast in the kitchen.
Evelyn walked out into the front entry hall fast.
Her hands were shaking slightly at her sides now.
Evelyn: Officers, my husband is trying to throw me out.
Officer Smith: Ma'am, please step back and remain calm.
Mark: I filed an emergency protective order this morning.
Mark handed a legal paper to the senior officer.
The officer read the signed document with dark eyes.
Officer Smith: Ma'am, this order requires you to vacate immediately.
Evelyn: This is my legal home too, you cannot do this!
Officer Smith: The judge signed the order two hours ago.
Evelyn: Mark, you are ruining my entire reputation!
Mark: You ruined your own reputation by your actions.
The second officer pointed gently toward the open doorway.
Officer Jones: Ma'am, please collect your personal items right now.
Officer Jones: We will escort you off the property grounds.
Evelyn glared at Mark with intense, silent hatred.
She walked up the stairs to grab her purse.
Mark felt a huge relief wash over his body.
He walked back into the bright kitchen area quickly.
He lifted Lily out of her wooden high chair.
Mark: Everything is going to be alright now, baby.
Lily giggled and put her arms around his neck.