Evelyn: "Let go of me! You're hurting my arm!"
Julian: "You'll stay right here until the officers walk up these stairs!"
The heavy front doors of the mansion swung wide open, and three armed police officers rushed into the foyer, their boots echoing loudly against the polished marble floor.
Officer Miller: "Police! Nobody move! We received an emergency call regarding child endangerment!"
Julian: "Up here on the second-floor balcony, Officer!"
The officers quickly made their way up the grand staircase, their hands resting near their holsters as they took in the high-tension scene near the American flag.
Officer Miller: "Mr. Vance? Are you the one who called?"
Julian: "Yes, Officer. This woman, Evelyn Vance, just aggressively shoved my ten-year-old daughter over this balcony railing."
Evelyn: "It's a complete lie, Officer! I slipped! My husband attacked me and slapped me across the face! Look at my cheek!"
Officer Miller: "Ma'am, keep your hands where I can see them and step away from the railing."
Julian: "Officer, I have the entire incident recorded on our high-definition home security feed. The camera is mounted right above that door."
Julian handed his phone over to Officer Miller. The officer watched the video playback, his expression darkening with every passing second as he saw Evelyn grab Clara and hurl her over the marble railing.
Officer Miller: "That is clear attempted second-degree murder and felony child abuse."
Evelyn: "No! You can't use that video! He recorded me without my permission!"
Officer Miller: "This is a common area of the residence, ma'am. Security cameras are completely legal here."
Evelyn: "Do you know who my family is?! My father is a corporate partner at the biggest legal firm in the city!"
Officer Miller: "I don't care if your father is the governor. Put your hands behind your back."
The second officer stepped forward, grabbing Evelyn's wrists and pulling them firmly behind her back. The cold steel handcuffs clicked shut around her wrists with a heavy metallic sound.
Evelyn: "Ah! You're hurting me! Julian, tell them to stop!"
Julian: "I hope you enjoy your new home, Evelyn. Because you are never stepping foot in mine again."
Officer Miller: "Evelyn Vance, you are under arrest for attempted murder, felony child endangerment, and assault. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."
Evelyn: "Julian! Clara! You haven't seen the last of me! My lawyers will tear your lives apart!"
Clara: "Bye-bye, Evelyn!"
The police officers dragged Evelyn down the marble staircase, her heels scraping wildly against the white stone as she screamed hysterically all the way out the front entrance doors.
Julian let out a long, heavy breath, dropping down to his knees to wrap his arms tightly around Clara once again.
Julian: "It's over, baby girl. She's gone. She's never going to hurt you again."
Clara: "I love you, Daddy."
Julian: "I love you more than life itself, Clara."