The metal handcuffs clicked loudly as Officer Davis secured Evelyn's wrists behind her back[cite: 1]. She shrieked in outrage, thrashing against the officer's grip, but the secondary officer stepped in, holding her firmly by the arm.
Evelyn: "Marcus! Tell him to stop! You can't let them take me away in front of the neighbors!"
Marcus: "You brought this on yourself, Evelyn."
Evelyn: "I am your mother! You owe me everything! Your education, your career, your trust fund!"
Marcus: "I would trade every single dollar to erase you from my childhood. You were abusive to me, and I promised myself I would never let you touch my son."
Evelyn: "He's a weakling! Just like his mother! You're ruining the Sterling name over a pathetic little boy!"
Marcus: "That 'pathetic little boy' is my entire world."
The officers marched Evelyn across the stone patio, past the broken lounge chair, and down the wide front driveway[cite: 1]. Neighbors stood at the edges of their manicured lawns, whispering and taking photos with their phones as the famous Dallas socialite was pushed into the back seat of a police cruiser[cite: 1].
Evelyn: "You'll regret this, Marcus! My lawyers will have me out by dinner time!"
Marcus: "Not when the judge sees that video footage."
The police car door slammed shut, cutting off her voice[cite: 1]. The red and blue lights flashed brightly against the flag on the flagpole as the cruiser pulled away into the afternoon traffic[cite: 1].
Marcus took a long, deep breath, wiping a stray tear from his eye. He walked over to his car, unlocking the doors, and drove straight to Children's Health Dallas[cite: 1].
Inside the emergency room, Sarah sat by Toby's bedside[cite: 1]. The boy was hooked up to an oxygen monitor, his color returning to normal as he sipped a small cup of apple juice.
Marcus: "How is he doing, Sarah?"
Sarah: "The doctor said his lungs are clear. They're just keeping him for two hours to make sure there's no fluid buildup."
Toby: "Daddy! Is Grandma Evelyn gone?"
Marcus: "She's gone, buddy. She's never, ever coming back to our house."
Toby: "Promise?"
Marcus: "I promise you on my life, Toby. You are safe. You and Mommy are the only things that matter to me."