The brass doorknob turned rapidly, and the front entrance swung open with a resounding bang against the wall.
Richard Hayes burst inside, his dark navy business suit wrinkled from travel and his tie loosened at his throat.
Right behind him, Officer Davis from the local precinct stepped through the doorway, his hand resting near his duty belt.
Richard: Nobody touches my child!
Richard dropped his leather briefcase onto the marble floor and sprinted directly toward Lily.
Lily: Daddy!
Richard dropped to his knees, scooping the weeping little girl up into his arms and pulling Tyler close with his other hand.
Richard: I'm right here, sweetheart. I'm right here. Are you hurt?
Tyler: She slapped me, Dad. And she was threatening to bury us.
Richard looked up, his jaw clenched tight as his gaze locked onto his wife.
Richard: What did you say to my son, Victoria?
Victoria immediately folded her hands, smoothing down her burgundy dress with an angelic, concerned smile.
Victoria: Richard, darling, thank God you're home. The children have become completely hysterical.
Richard: Tyler texted me that you cornered Lily on the floor.
Victoria: Lily had a severe panic attack. She started claiming she heard voices in the walls again.
Officer Davis: Mr. Hayes called our dispatch while driving in from the airport, ma'am. He reported a domestic disturbance.
Victoria: Officer, this is a private family misunderstanding. My stepdaughter has been grieving her runaway mother for two years.
Tyler: Don't listen to her, Officer! She was screaming at Lily that dead girls don't reveal secrets!
Victoria shook her head gently, wiping away a fake tear from the corner of her eye.
Victoria: Tyler is sixteen and deeply resentful of my marriage to his father. He twists everything I say.
Richard: Victoria, Tyler has a red handprint across his cheek.
Victoria's smile twitched slightly, her composure beginning to crack around the edges.
Victoria: He lunged at me, Richard! I had to defend myself. You know how volatile he gets when he skips his therapy sessions.
Tyler: That's a flat-out lie! You struck me because I mentioned the floral wall!
Officer Davis: Let's keep voices down, please. Everyone take a deep breath.
Lily: Daddy, please don't let her take me away.
Richard: Nobody is taking you anywhere, Lily. Look at me. You are completely safe.
Lily buried her face in Richard's shoulder, her small frame shaking violently with uncontrollable sobs.
Lily: Dad, Mommy's still inside that wall!
The entire foyer fell dead silent, the heavy ticking of the grandfather clock sounding like hammer strikes against wood.
Richard froze, his eyes staring blankly at the floral wallpaper his missing wife had chosen five years ago.
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