The bright ambient light of the afternoon cast long shadows across the magnificent hall where the nightmare was finally coming to an end.
Victoria: You cannot just throw me out like trash after everything I gave to this marriage!
Richard: You gave nothing except greed and deception from day one.
Victoria: My family lawyer will take every penny you own for this assault!
Richard: My divorce lawyer and estate planner are already preparing the forfeiture clauses for attempted murder.
Victoria: No... you cannot cut me out of the will like this!
Richard: Watch me. The prenuptial agreement handles criminal acts clause-by-clause.
Girl: Look, Daddy, the police cars are pulling up the driveway now!
Sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder as flashing red and blue lights cut through the afternoon windows of the mansion.
Victoria: You are making a huge mistake, Richard! You will pay for this!
Richard: The only one paying is you, Victoria.
Heavy boots echoed against the exterior stone steps as local officers pushed open the double doors and entered the foyer.
Richard: Officer, arrest that woman right there! She attempted to murder my child!
Victoria: It is a complete setup! They are framing me!
Police Officer: Ma'am, stay right where you are and put your hands behind your back.
Richard stood safely nearby, holding the young girl close as the cold steel cuffs clicked into place around Victoria's wrists.
Girl: It is all over now, Daddy. We are safe forever.
Victoria: You ruined my entire life, Richard! I will get out of this!
Police Officer: Save your breath for the precinct, lady. You are going away for a very long time.
The officers hoisted the disheveled woman to her feet and escorted her out through the grand double doors as a deep dramatic orchestral climax echoed through the space.
Richard: You are my true hero today, sweetheart. Let us get you some hot chocolate and leave this nightmare behind.
The little girl smiled softly against Richard's shoulder, her tears finally drying as peace settled over the grand luxury estate once more.