Before Victoria could scramble up from the floor, the heavy front doors swung open once again. Two uniform Palm Beach police officers walked in, followed by two paramedics carrying a warm thermal blanket and a medical kit.
Officer Ramirez: "Mr. Sterling! We received your emergency dispatch call regarding child endangerment!"
Julian: "Officer Ramirez, thank God. My daughter has been subjected to extreme cold exposure and has a facial injury. The suspect is right there on the floor."
Victoria: "Officer! This man pushed me onto the ground! Look at my clothes! I am the victim here!"
Officer Ramirez: "Ma'am, stay where you are. Paramedics, please check the child."
The paramedics hurried over to Julian, gently wrapping Lily in a thick, warm thermal blanket. One of the medics began examining the bloody scratch on her small cheek.
Paramedic: "Her temperature is dangerously low, Mr. Sterling. We need to get her into the ambulance and start warming her up immediately to prevent mild hypothermia."
Julian: "Take her! I'm right behind you!"
Victoria: "This is absurd! It was just water! Kids play in water all the time!"
Officer Ramirez: "Ma'am, we've already reviewed the live video feed your husband transmitted to our department dispatch while we were en route."
Officer Ramirez pulled out a pair of heavy steel handcuffs, stepping toward Victoria as she tried to back away on her hands and knees.
Victoria: "No! Don't touch me! Do you know who I am?!"
Officer Ramirez: "You are under arrest for felony child abuse, domestic battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress on a minor."
SFX: Metallic click of handcuffs!
Victoria thrashed wildly as the officer snapped the cold metal cuffs around her wrists behind her back.
Victoria: "JULIAN! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME! I WILL RUIN YOU! YOU CAN'T END EVERYTHING OVER HER!"
Julian walked toward the front entrance, holding his wrapped daughter close to his chest. He stopped right beside Victoria, looking down at her with cold, unwavering eyes.
Julian: "You thought my daughter was weak because she didn't have her mother to protect her. But you forgot that she has me."
Victoria: "YOU'LL REGRET THIS! YOU'LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER WOMAN TO MARRY YOU!"
Julian: "I'd rather spend the rest of my life alone than let a snake like you near my family again."
The officers hauled Victoria to her feet, her beige outfit stained with dirty water and floor dust as they marched her out the front doors into the bright Florida sunlight.
Her hysterical screaming echoed down the long brick driveway until the heavy doors of the police cruiser slammed shut with a solid thud.