Victoria: Stay away from me! I am the mistress of this house!
Mark: You are a criminal!
Before Victoria could take another step, Mark's hand flew across the air, striking her hard across the face. The sharp slap echoed down the long, high-ceilinged marble hallway like a gunshot. Victoria stumbled back in utter shock, clutching her burning cheek as her red gown rustled violently.
Victoria: You... you hit me?!
Mark: GET OUT OF MY HOUSE! CALL 911 NOW!
Lily scrambled behind the large vase in the corner, clutching her tiny hands over her ears as her father roared. Mark reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and immediately dialed the emergency operator.
Dispatcher: 911 emergency, what is your location?
Mark: I need police and medical services at 742 Willow Creek Lane immediately! My wife—my former wife—has been kidnapped and locked inside a secret room in my house!
Victoria: Hang up that phone, Mark! You don't know what you're doing!
Victoria lunged forward, clawing at Mark’s hands to snatch the phone away, but Mark shoved her back onto the cold floor. She fell awkwardly, her high heels scraping against the marble, but her face quickly twisted into a dark, cruel smirk.
Victoria: Go ahead! Call them! Do you really think they will believe you? The deed to this house is in my name! The custody agreement for that child gives ME legal control! You call the cops, and I'll have you arrested for domestic violence!
Mark: You think your paperwork will save you from human trafficking and kidnapping charges?!
Victoria: It's my word against yours! And Sarah? Look at her! Who do you think the judge will believe—a prominent local philanthropist or a woman who has been missing and declared legally dead for two years?
From inside the air vent, Sarah’s weak voice called out again, trembling with fear.
Sarah: Mark... the key... the key is in her red jewelry box in the master bedroom... please hurry...
Victoria: Don't you dare touch my bedroom!
Victoria scrambled off the floor, sprinting toward the master suite to secure the keys before Mark could reach them. Mark looked down at his crying daughter, then back at the dark vent on the wall.
Mark: Lily, sweetie, sit right here by the wall. Keep talking to Mommy. Daddy will be right back.
Lily: Daddy, don't let the mean lady hurt Mommy!
Mark: I won't, baby. I promise.
Mark turned and charged up the grand staircase after Victoria, determined to find the key and end the nightmare that had taken two years of his life away.
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