The heavy front doors swung open once more as two uniformed officers stepped into the grand hall, led by Marcus's personal head of security. Victoria pulled herself up against the wall, but her face turned pale as the officers walked straight toward her with open handcuffs.
Victoria: What is the meaning of this?! Get your filthy hands off me!
Officer Davis: Victoria Vance, you are under arrest for attempted child endangerment, domestic assault, and grand financial fraud.
Victoria: Marcus, tell them to stop! You can't let them take me away in front of the servants!
Marcus: You did this to yourself, Victoria. Hand over your house keys and step outside.
Victoria: I am your wife! I built this life with you!
Marcus: You built a life on lies, greed, and abuse. I am filing for an immediate annulment today based on fraud.
Officer Davis clicked the metallic cuffs firmly around Victoria's wrists behind her back. She thrashed against the officer's hold, but her heels slipped on the polished floor as they turned her toward the entrance.
Victoria: You'll pay for this, Marcus! My lawyers will strip you of everything you own!
Marcus: Your lawyers won't be able to help you from a federal holding cell. Goodbye, Victoria.
The police guided Victoria down the front steps as her angry screams echoed down the long driveway, fading away into the afternoon breeze. Inside the hall, a deep, peaceful silence finally returned to the home.
Elena: Is she really gone for good, Mr. Vance?
Marcus: She will never step foot inside this house ever again, Elena. I swear it to you.
Elena: Poor little Leo was so scared... look at how tight he is still holding my hand.
Marcus walked over to Elena and gentle placed his large hand over her fingers, looking down at his resting son with tears forming in his dark eyes.
Marcus: You saved his life today, Elena. If you hadn't stepped between her and my boy, I don't know what would have happened.
Elena: I would give my life to protect this child, Mr. Vance. He deserves all the love in the world.
Marcus: Starting today, your role in this house changes. You aren't cleaning floors anymore. I want you to be Leo's full-time guardian and head of the nursery, with full legal authority over his care.
Elena: Mr. Vance... I don't know what to say. Thank you so much!
Marcus: You earned it by showing real love when everything else around us was fake. This home is safe now.
Marcus leaned down and placed a soft kiss on his son's forehead while little Leo let out a quiet sigh of relief, finally resting safe in the arms of the people who truly cared.