Down at the long iron gate of the estate, police cars blocked the road.
Victoria was yelling angrily at two officers who held her by her arms.
Her green dress was ruined with mud, and her hair was completely messy.
Mark walked down the stone driveway toward the bright flashing police lights.
Victoria: Mark! Tell these officers to release me right now!
Mark: You are right where you belong, Victoria.
Victoria: I deserve half of your wealth after everything I did!
Mark: You deserve nothing except a long prison sentence for what you tried to do.
Detective Ross stepped forward and placed heavy steel handcuffs on her wrists.
Detective Ross: Victoria Vance, you are under arrest for attempted murder and grand fraud.
Victoria: You have no real proof of anything!
Mark: The security cameras inside the foyer recorded every single moment.
Victoria went pale as she remembered the hidden security cameras near the entrance.
She stopped screaming and lowered her head as she was placed in the back seat.
The police car drove away into the quiet night, its sirens fading away.
Mark stood near the gate and took a deep breath of clean cool air.
The dangerous dark shadow that hovered over his household was finally gone.
He walked back up the long driveway toward his brightly lit home.
Martha was waiting at the open front doors with a warm wool blanket.
Martha: Is it finally over, Mr. Sterling?
Mark: It is completely over, Martha, she will never come back.
Mark walked inside the house and immediately headed toward the living room.
Lily was sitting on the big comfortable sofa, wrapped in her favorite blanket.
She looked up at her father with wide, gentle eyes as he sat next to her.
Lily: Is our home safe again, Daddy?
Mark: Our home is totally safe now, my sweet girl.
Lily: Can we stay here together forever without any more mean guests?
Mark: Just you and me, exactly the way it should be.
Mark held his daughter close, feeling her warm breathing against his chest.
He knew that his late wife's memory and their family legacy were secure.
He promised himself that he would always protect his child from any harm.
The big grand mansion felt warm and peaceful once again for the small family.