Victoria froze as the warm red lights flashed through the tall windows.
She slowly dropped the heavy metal tool onto the hard floor below.
Officer Davis stepped forward quickly and placed silver handcuffs on her wrists.
Officer Davis: Victoria Sterling, you are under arrest for assault and burglary.
Victoria glared at Mark with intense hatred as she was led away.
Victoria: You will pay for this! My father will get his money!
Mark: Your father is in prison, and you are joining him tonight.
Mark walked out of the courthouse into the fresh cool night air.
He felt a massive weight lift completely off his tired chest and shoulders.
He drove his grey car straight back to his bright stone home on the hill.
Lily was fast asleep in her warm bedroom with her grandmother watching her.
Mark sat quietly on the edge of her bed and kissed her forehead.
He promised himself that no evil person would ever enter their home again.
Three months later, the high profile trial took place at the city court.
Mark sat in the wooden front row next to his legal attorney team.
Victoria sat at the defense table wearing a bright orange state jumpsuit.
The prosecution presented the crystal clear balcony security video to the jury.
They also showed the encrypted flash drive containing her illegal stolen files.
The jury took less than one hour to reach their final unified verdict.
The judge looked sternly at Victoria as she stood before the high bench.
Judge Vance: You targeted a defenseless young child for financial greed.
Judge Vance: I sentence you to fifteen years in the state penitentiary system.
Victoria buried her face in her hands and began weeping very loudly.
Mark stood up calmly and walked out of the legal courtroom doors.
He did not feel joy at her pain, but he felt complete relief.
He drove home to pick up Lily for a fun afternoon at the park.
They spent the sunny afternoon eating sweet ice cream and running around freely.
Lily laughed happily as Mark swung her high up into the air.
Their home was finally a place of real safety, warmth, and quiet peace.