Mark's face twisted into absolute rage as he looked straight into Victoria's eyes.
Mark: You planned all of this.
Victoria stumbled backward against the edge of the stone fireplace wall.
Victoria: Mark, please, let me explain!
Victoria: It was an accident, I swear!
Mark: You almost killed my daughter for money!
The police officer immediately released his grip on Sarah's wet arms.
He took out the key and unlocked the metal handcuffs around Sarah's wrists.
Officer: I am so sorry, ma'am.
Sarah rubbed her red wrists, taking a deep breath of fresh summer air.
The second officer stepped firmly toward Victoria, pulling out his own cuffs.
Victoria: Get your hands off me!
Victoria: Do you know who I am?
Officer: You are under arrest for attempted murder and child endangerment.
Victoria tried to pull away, but the officer clamped the cuffs on her wrists.
She began to cry real tears now, but nobody on the patio felt sympathy.
Leo stood beside his father, holding Sarah's hand with a tight, warm grip.
Leo: I saw her turn off the living room monitor earlier, Dad.
Leo: So I opened the backup cloud app on my tablet to record.
Mark placed a soft hand on his brave son's shoulder, feeling immensely proud.
Mark: You saved us today, buddy.
Mark turned back to Victoria with a cold, unforgiving look on his face.
Mark: Take her away right now.
The officers pulled Victoria away toward the side gate and the waiting police car.
She screamed and pleaded, but her cries faded as the car doors slammed shut.
The patio suddenly felt quiet and safe for the first time in months.
Mark looked at Sarah, feeling a deep sense of shame for doubting her loyalty.
He walked over to her, holding baby Clara safely wrapped in the warm blanket.
Sarah smiled through her dry tears, happy that the innocent truth had won.