Chapter 3 — Emma Had Been Trying to Stop the Display From Falling
Oliver Hale wandered toward the memorial display while the adults nearby were speaking.
He carried a small remote-controlled car.
He placed it on the marble floor.
Then drove it beneath one of the display tables.
The toy disappeared behind the long tablecloth.
Oliver crouched.
He reached underneath.
Could not reach the car.
Then he grabbed the tablecloth.
Richard paused the footage.
“There.”
Victoria stared.
Oliver pulled.
Only a few inches.
But the display above shifted.
One glass vase moved toward the edge.
At that exact moment, Emma entered the frame.
She noticed the vase tipping.
Then ran.
Emma grabbed the side of the table.
She pushed the vase backward.
That saved it.
But another container tipped.
Blue floral dye spilled across Emma’s sleeve.
A lighter stand containing roses fell onto the floor.
Emma tried catching it.
Several flowers scattered.
The larger memorial column remained standing.
Richard looked stunned.
“She prevented the whole thing from coming down.”
Claire stared at her daughter.
Emma was still trembling beneath the tablecloth.
Richard continued the footage.
Oliver crawled out from beneath the table.
He looked terrified.
Emma immediately checked him.
She pointed toward the hallway.
Oliver ran out of frame.
Then Elise Parker appeared.
The event assistant stopped when she saw the mess.
She looked at Emma.
Then toward the hallway where Oliver had disappeared.
Emma said something.
There was no audio on the security camera.
Elise leaned closer.
Then pointed toward a chair.
Emma sat down.
Elise walked away.
Less than a minute later, Victoria arrived.
Richard paused the recording.
Claire looked toward Victoria.
“My daughter didn’t destroy your display.”
Victoria said nothing.
Claire continued.
“She tried to save it.”
Emma whispered:
“Oliver could get hurt.”
Victoria looked toward her.
For the first time, the anger disappeared from her face.
Because the child she had publicly humiliated…
had actually rushed toward danger to protect Victoria’s grandson.