David carried Lily over to the soft grey sofa and sat down beside her gently. He pulled a fresh box of soft tissue paper from the side table and wiped her damp face. Lily let out a long small breath and leaned her head against his warm shoulder softy.
David: Are you hurt anywhere, sweetie? Did she touch you roughly?
Lily: No, Daddy. She just grabbed my arm and pushed me out the back door fast.
David: She will never ever come back near you again, I promise you that with my heart.
A few minutes later, heavy footsteps echoed down the grand staircase from the second floor. Victoria walked into the room carrying two large black leather suitcases in her hands. Her eyes were sharp and mean as she walked straight toward the front exit door.
David stood up from the sofa and walked over to block the main hallway path slightly. He held his phone in his hand, showing a live recording screen that he had just opened up. Victoria stopped short and pulled her suitcase handles close to her sides in anger.
Victoria: Move out of my way, David. I am leaving like you wanted.
David: I took photos of the locked door and recorded Lily's statement on my phone.
Victoria: What are you talking about? Delete those files right now!
David looked down at her with a steady expression that showed no fear at all anymore. He knew that protecting his family required total strength and complete legal action from this point forward. He would not let her twist the story to her wealthy friends or the town court.
David: My divorce lawyer already has these video files on his secure computer server.
Victoria: You are trying to ruin my reputation in this city!
David: You ruined your own reputation the second you locked an eight-year-old girl outside.
Victoria bit her lower lip hard as her face grew pale under the warm yellow room lights. She knew that if these outdoor camera videos got out to the public, her status would vanish. She gripped her suitcase handles tight and pushed past David without saying another loud word.
The heavy front door opened wide and swung shut with a firm solid thud sound behind her back. The loud noise echoed down the hall, leaving the large house completely quiet once again. David took a deep breath of fresh air and felt a huge heavy weight lift off his chest.