Nora: Richard, do something! Call our lawyers! Call the sheriff! She's stealing our money!
Richard: Shut up, Mother! Just shut up!
Richard collapsed against the polished dining table, his dark maroon shirt rumpled as he pressed his hands against his face. The reality of his complete financial and personal ruin crashed down upon him in a single second.
Richard: Rachel... please. Let's talk about this privately. We don't need to involve the courts or the media.
Rachel: There is nothing left to discuss, Richard.
Richard: I'll give you half of the monthly allowance! Just leave Chloe here with us! People will think I'm an unfit father!
Rachel: You ARE an unfit father! You stood there and threatened me while your daughter was crying with cake in her eyes!
Chloe: Auntie Rachel, I want to go with you. I don't want to live here anymore.
Rachel: I know, baby. We're leaving right now, and you're never coming back to this place.
Nora stepped around the table, her face twisted in pure, unadulterated hatred as she glared at the child in Rachel's arms.
Nora: You ungrateful little brat! After everything this family did for you!
Rachel: Say one more word to her, Nora, and I'll have the district attorney file criminal child abuse charges against you before the sun sets today.
Nora froze, her jaw snapping shut as the weight of the legal threat hit her. She looked at her son, but Richard was staring blankly at the floor, completely defeated.
Rachel: The moving trucks will arrive tomorrow morning to pick up Chloe's clothes and personal belongings. If a single item is missing or damaged, I will freeze your personal bank accounts for breach of estate terms.
Richard: Rachel... please... don't take everything from me...
Rachel: You took my sister's life with your emotional neglect, Richard. You won't take her daughter's life too.
Rachel turned around firmly, holding the toddler safely in her arms. Her heels clicked sharply against the wooden floor as she walked out of the dining room and into the vast, bright foyer.
Chloe: Auntie... are we going to your house now?
Rachel: Yes, sweetie. We're going to my home in Highland Park. You'll have your own big room, a garden to play in, and as many fresh toys as you want.
Chloe: Will there be cake there?
Rachel: Only the kind you want to eat, baby girl. Nobody will ever hurt you again.