Vanessa wailed as the steel bracelets locked around her wrists, pulling her ornate lace sleeves tight against the metal.
Vanessa: Dad! Do something! Don't let them put me in the back of a squad car!
Richard: Officer, I am Richard Vance! I demand to speak with your precinct captain this instant!
Officer Martinez: Sir, step back or you will be arrested for obstruction of justice. Your daughter is being charged with first-degree kidnapping and evidence tampering.
Vanessa: Julian! Look at me! We were supposed to go to Italy tomorrow! We had our whole lives planned!
Julian didn't even turn his head. He gently turned Leo away from the scene, shielding the boy's eyes.
Julian: Your life is going to be spent in a cell, Vanessa. Forget Italy. You’ll be lucky if you ever see the sky again.
Officer Martinez: Watch your head, ma'am.
The officers guided the struggling bride down the stone steps, shoving her into the rear seat of the cruiser as flashbulbs lit up the tinted glass.
Inside the car, Vanessa slammed her forehead against the window, screaming profanities that were muffled by the reinforced glass.
Leo: Dad? Is she ever going to come back?
Julian: Never, Leo. She will never come anywhere near you ever again.
Leo: And the man with the black jacket? Mr. Henderson?
Marcus: State troopers are transporting Henderson to the Dallas County jail right now, buddy. He's finished too.
Julian dropped to his knees on the sunlit steps, pulling Leo into his arms once more, burying his face in his son's dusty hair.
Julian: I thought I lost you forever, Leo. I visited that empty cemetery plot every Sunday.
Leo: I know, Dad. I saw the flowers you left on TV once when they did a story about your charity. That's how I knew you still loved Mom.
Julian: I never stopped loving either of you. Not for one second.
An ambulance pulled up beside the squad cars, two paramedics carrying first-aid kits hurrying toward them.
Paramedic: Mr. Sterling? Let us take a look at the boy's cheek and that scrape on his wrist.
Julian: Of course. Take your time. Check him over completely.
The paramedic gently cleaned the cut on Leo's face with an antiseptic wipe, making the boy wince slightly.
Leo: Ouch...
Julian: Squeeze my hand, Leo. I'm right here.
Leo squeezed Julian's fingers with surprising strength, his small knuckles white against Julian's gold watch.
Paramedic: He's dehydrated and bruised, Mr. Sterling, but he's tough as nails. We should transport him to Dallas Children's Hospital for basic fluids and scans.
Julian: I'm riding with him in the ambulance.
Marcus: I'll handle the press and the guests inside, Julian. Go take care of your son.
Julian: Cancel every meeting for the next six months, Marcus. The company runs itself. My son is my only priority.
Richard: Julian, wait! We need to discuss the media statement!
Julian turned around, his eyes burning with absolute contempt as he looked at Vanessa's father.
Julian: Here's your statement, Richard: The Vance family is dead to me. Have your lawyers ready by Monday morning.
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