Victoria stood up slowly, realizing that no amount of pleading would change Mark's mind now.
She wiped her makeup-stained face with the back of her hand and adjusted her dress.
Victoria: My lawyer will contact your office first thing tomorrow morning, Mark.
Mark: Tell him to bring a very good legal defense team for fraud charges.
Victoria turned around and walked out of the mansion without looking back at anyone.
The heavy oak doors clicked shut, leaving Mark alone in the peaceful grand foyer with Lily.
Martha quickly swept up the broken ceramic pieces and dried the marble floor completely.
Mark walked over to the sofa and scooped Lily gently up into his arms again.
He held her close against his chest and kissed her forehead with deep love and relief.
Mark: Everything is going to be completely fine now, my sweet little girl.
Lily wrapped her small arms around her father's neck and smiled through her remaining tears.
Lily: No more loud noise, daddy?
Mark: No more loud noise, sweetie, just you and daddy taking care of each other.
Mark carried Lily into the bright kitchen to make her favorite afternoon strawberry snack.
He pulled out his phone again and dialed his family attorney to report the forged document.
The attorney promised to freeze all joint accounts and file immediate emergency custody papers.
Mark looked out the wide kitchen window at the peaceful garden shining under the sun.
The truth had been painful to discover, but his daughter's future was now fully protected.
He knew that building a honest life alone with Lily was worth every single challenge ahead.