Chapter 11 - The Fall of the Velvet
The arrest of Victoria Vance took place on the front steps of the Vance Estate in the presence of six local news crews.
Handcuffed behind her back, dressed in a muted gray tracksuit, Victoria was led down the marble steps by two female officers. She sobbed hysterically, her immaculate hair falling into her face, her vanity completely destroyed under the harsh glare of afternoon sunlight and flashing camera lenses.
"Julian! Call the lawyers!" she screamed toward the empty driveway as she was pushed into the back of a police cruiser. "Call them!"
At the precinct, Elena sat in a private room beside a female legal aid attorney.
The door opened, and Marcus walked in, carrying Maya in his arms. The little girl’s dark curls were dry now, wrapped in a bright yellow sweater. As soon as she saw her mother, Maya held out her arms.
"Mommy!" Maya cried out.
Elena stood up, taking her daughter into a fierce, tight embrace, burying her face in the child's neck, breathing in the clean scent of safety.
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"Are we okay now, Mommy?" Maya asked softly, her small fingers touching Elena's cheek. "Does the mean lady still want to take my bread?"
"No, baby," Elena whispered, her voice choking with emotion as she kissed Maya’s forehead. "Nobody is ever going to take your food again. Nobody."
