Leo: I didn't do anything wrong, Daddy... I just wanted to see Mommy's smile.
Richard: I know, Leo. I know. You did nothing wrong at all.
Richard sat beside his son on the soft mattress, wrapping his arms around the small boy and pulling him close.
Richard: I am so sorry I wasn't here to protect you today.
Leo: But you came home, Daddy. You stopped her.
Richard: I promise you, from this day on, I will never let anyone treat you like that ever again.
Leo: Look, Daddy. The picture isn't broken. Maria helped me clean the dust off it.
Richard looked down at the photograph of his late wife, her bright smile looking back at them.
Richard: Your mom loved you more than anything in this world, Leo. And she would be so proud of how brave you were today.
Leo: Can we put this picture on my nightstand?
Richard: We can put it right here, where it belongs.
Richard set the frame gently on the small table next to Leo's bed, adjusting it so it faced the room.
Maria: Mr. Sterling? Excuse me.
Maria knocked softly on the open door frame, holding a tray with a warm glass of milk and some cookies.
Maria: I brought a little snack for the brave young man.
Leo: Chocolate chip cookies! Thank you, Maria!
Maria: You're very welcome, sweetheart.
Richard: Thank you, Maria. For everything today.
Maria: Just doing my job, sir. Taking care of this family is what I do best.
Richard: You're more than just an employee here, Maria. You're family.
Maria smiled warmly, her eyes glistening with tears as she watched the father and son sit together on the bed.
Leo: Daddy, can Maria stay with us forever?
Richard: As long as she wants to, buddy.
Maria: I'm not going anywhere, Leo. I'll always be here for you.
Down at the front gate, the sound of a cab engine fading into the distance marked the total end of Evelyn's brief time at the estate.
Richard: Come on, Leo. Let's go downstairs and have a nice dinner together, just the three of us.
Leo: Can we watch a movie after dinner?
Richard: Whatever movie you want, chief. Tonight is your night.