Hannah adjusted her silver dress in front of the tall mirror.
The white marble walls of the estate reflected the bright morning light.
Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.
She was marrying into one of the wealthiest families in the city.
Yet her heart felt heavy inside her chest.
Her stepmother Margarethe walked into the dressing hall with cold steps.
Margarethe wore an expensive navy blazer and a bitter smile.
She looked at Hannah with complete contempt.
Margarethe: You think that shiny dress makes you one of us?
Hannah: I love Mark with all my heart, Margarethe.
Margarethe: Love does not pay for this mansion.
Hannah: Mark doesn't care about money, and neither do I.
Margarethe: You are a nobody from nowhere.
Margarethe stepped closer and picked up a pair of heavy iron shears.
The sunlight caught the long metal blades.
Hannah reached up to touch her delicate pearl necklace.
The necklace was an old family heirloom given by Mark.
Hannah: Please stay away from me with those.
Margarethe: This heirloom belongs to a real heiress.
Hannah: Mark gave this to me himself.
Margarethe: He made a mistake, but I will fix it.
Margarethe raised the heavy shears without warning.
Hannah gasped and tried to step backward.
The metal blades snapped together with a sharp sound.
The strong silk string tore in half instantly.
Dozens of white pearls began falling toward the floor.
Hannah: Why are you doing this to me?
Margarethe: Because you never belonged in this family!
Margarethe snickered softly right against Hannah's ear.
The cold steel rested against Hannah's neck for a second.
Hannah stumbled back in utter horror.
Her heels lost grip on the smooth floor surface.
She hit the top edge of the balcony railing hard.
The heavy marble banister cold against her back.
Hannah: Margarethe, please grab my hand!
Margarethe folded her arms and simply watched.
Hannah's balance tipped over the upper edge.
She screamed frantically into the vast open hall.
Her body fell backward into empty space.