Brenda: You don't understand, Mark! You don't know the full story!
Mark: I don't care about your stories! Lily, stay right here. Don't move.
Mark stepped carefully onto the concrete steps, heading down into the basement. His heart pounded against his ribs as he reached the bottom and knelt beside Emily. He pulled her into his arms, feeling how frail and thin she had become.
Emily: She came down every night, Mark... she gave me just enough food and water to stay alive... she made me sign papers... transfer of property, custody agreements...
Mark: Shh, don't talk. You're safe now. I'm getting you out of here.
Emily: She had a lawyer, Mark. A dirty divorce lawyer who was helping her fake my signature on the life insurance policies and the house deed!
Mark lifted Emily into his arms, carrying her up the narrow stairs into the light. Lily watched with tears in her eyes, reaching out to touch her mother's hand as soon as they reached the hallway.
Lily: Mommy... you're cold.
Emily: I'm okay now, baby. Mommy is right here.
Brenda was slowly edging toward the front door, trying to slide past the hall table without making a sound. Mark saw her movement in the reflection of the glass artwork.
Mark: Don't move a single inch, Brenda!
Brenda: Mark, please... let's talk about this privately. We can figure out a settlement! You don't have to call the police!
Mark: Figure out a settlement? You kidnapped my wife and locked her in a basement to steal her inheritance and control my estate!
Brenda: I did it for our future! You were going to lose everything in that custody fight!
Mark: I'm calling the police right now. And your corrupt lawyer is going down with you.
Mark reached into his suit jacket and pulled out his phone. Brenda’s face twisted in panic. She realized that every lie she had built over the last six months was crumbling in a matter of seconds.
Brenda: If you call them, Mark, you lose the business! My father controls the board of directors! He'll pull every dollar of investment out of your firm by noon!
Mark: Do you really think I care about the business right now? Do you think money means anything compared to what you've done to my family?
Emily: Mark... call them. Call the sheriff. Let her call her father.
Mark dialed the three digits and placed the phone to his ear, his glaring eyes fixed directly on Brenda.
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