His thumb found the record button.
For three agonizing minutes, he filmed every frame: his mother issuing death threats while pinning a pregnant woman to the floor, and his sister methodically trying to smash open a wall safe while stuffing stolen assets into a bag.
Then, keeping his phone held high, he placed a call to 911.
“My name is Nolan Pierce,” he said in a loud, razor-sharp voice that cut straight through the room. “Two women are currently committing an armed home invasion, assaulting my pregnant wife, and attempting to rob my safe at 19 Briarstone Lane, Bellhaven, Alderwyn. Send armed units and an ambulance immediately.”
The hammer stopped in mid-swing.
Maribel snapped her head toward the doorway. Tessa went deathly pale, dropping the hammer onto the rug.
Nolan drove the bedroom door wide and stepped into the room, rain still shining on the shoulders of his suit jacket.
“Nolan?” Maribel stammered, her voice instantly dropping into a high-pitched, pathetic tone. “What… what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in Japan!”
Elara looked up from the floor. The sheer, paralyzing terror in her bruised eyes flickered into overwhelming relief for a split second. “Nolan…”
The word barely left her mouth before her eyes rolled back and her body went slack against the floorboards.
Nolan dropped to his knees, gently lifting Elara into his arms and pulling her close to his chest.
Maribel immediately dissolved into dramatic tears, wringing her hands. “Son, oh thank God you’re home! It’s not what it looks like! We caught her trying to clean out your safe! Tessa and I were just trying to hold her until the police arrived!”
