The front doors burst open as two paramedics hurried into the mansion foyer.
They carried a red medical bag and set down a small transport stretcher.
Richard quickly moved forward and placed Maya gently onto the soft mat.
Paramedic: How long has she been struggling to breathe, sir?
Richard: At least ten minutes, here is her inhaler!
The lead paramedic quickly administered the medicine using a breathing mask.
Maya took a shaky breath as oxygen rushed back into her tight lungs.
The color slowly began to return to the young girl's pale cheeks.
Richard held her small hand tightly while the team lifted the stretcher.
Evelyn stepped forward and tried to place a hand on Richard's shoulder.
Evelyn: I will drive right behind you to the hospital, dear.
Richard: Do not touch me or follow us!
Evelyn: Richard, you are letting panic cloud your common sense.
Richard: Stay away from my child!
Richard walked out the door alongside the paramedics into the bright afternoon sun.
They loaded Maya carefully into the back of the white emergency vehicle.
Richard climbed inside and sat on the small metal bench next to his daughter.
The ambulance doors slammed shut, cutting off the view of the mansion entrance.
Evelyn stood on the front steps, watching the vehicle drive away with narrow eyes.
The ambulance sped down the highway with its red lights flashing brightly.
The rhythmic sound of the heart monitor filled the small rear cabin.
Richard stroked Maya's forehead while tears welled up in his tired eyes.
He could not comprehend how the woman he married could act so coldly.
Maya: Daddy... she took my bag away.
Richard bent down closer to hear his daughter's soft, rasping voice.
Richard: Who took your bag, sweetheart?
Maya: Evelyn took it before I got sick.
Richard: Did she take your inhaler from you?
Maya: I asked for it, but she locked it away.
A deep anger burned inside Richard as he processed his daughter's weak words.
This was no longer a simple case of sudden panic or hesitation.
It was a deliberate attempt to harm a defenseless four-year-old child.
The ambulance pulled sharply into the hospital emergency bay five minutes later.
The rear doors swung open, and hospital staff rushed out to assist.
They wheeled Maya quickly into a bright examination room down the main hall.
Richard followed closely behind until the doctor asked him to step back.
Doctor: We need to check her lung function now, please wait here.
Richard: Is she going to be okay?
Doctor: We got her in time, but she needs close observation.
Richard sat down on a hard plastic chair outside the room door.
He buried his face in his hands as the reality of the situation set in.
He took out his phone and dialed his family estate attorney immediately.
Attorney: Hello Richard, how are things going today?
Richard: Arthur, I need you at the hospital right now.
Attorney: Is everything alright with little Maya?
Richard: No, and I need to make changes to my estate immediately.
Attorney: I will be there in twenty minutes.
Richard hung up the phone and looked back at the closed medical door.
He resolved never to let Evelyn near his home or child ever again.