Officer Miller: Step outside, Mr. Evans. Second unit is waiting in the driveway.
David: Wait! Let me talk to my daughter for one second!
Laura: Don't you dare come near her!
David: Lily, look at daddy! Tell the officer I never hurt you! Tell him daddy loves you!
Lily buried her face deeper into her mother's chest, squeezing her eyes shut tight.
Lily: Go away! You made mommy cry!
David: Lily, please! Laura, don't do this to our family!
Laura: We aren't a family anymore, David. You died to us the moment you raised your hand against us.
Officer Miller firmly pushed David through the kitchen doorway, guiding him down the hallway toward the front door where flashing red and blue lights illuminated the front windows.
David: You're making a huge mistake, Laura! My lawyer will have me out on bail by midnight!
Officer Miller: Domestic violence charges with child endangerment carry a mandatory hold, sir. You won't be seeing a judge until Monday morning.
David: Monday?! That's three days from now!
Officer Miller: Then I suggest you get comfortable in the county jail.
The front door slammed shut, cutting off David's desperate shouting. The house went completely quiet, save for the hum of the refrigerator and the faint sound of sirens outside.
Laura sat on the kitchen floor, rocking Lily gently back and forth. Her cheek was swollen and hot, but for the first time in years, her chest felt light.
Lily: Mommy, are you bleeding?
Laura: No, my sweet girl. Just a little bruised. But I'm going to be okay.
Lily: Is the police officer going to keep us safe now?
Laura: Yes, baby. The police officer and the law are going to make sure he never comes close to us again.
A second female police officer, Officer Rodriguez, walked quietly into the kitchen holding a medical kit and a bottle of water.
Officer Rodriguez: Ma'am? I'm Officer Rodriguez. Are you okay if I take a look at your face and your knee?
Laura: Yes... thank you. Please check my daughter first.
Officer Rodriguez: Of course. Let's get you both onto the couch in the living room.
Laura slowly stood up, holding Lily tightly against her hip. She looked back at the messy kitchen table, where David's forged legal papers were scattered across the floor.