Clara sat near the large window in her room, looking out at the green lawn. Her legs did not work well anymore, and she relied on her wheelchair to move around the giant house. Her father had passed away two years ago, leaving her with a large inheritance. Ever since then, her stepmother Evelyn had taken total control of the estate.
Evelyn walked into the room with a cold smile on her face. She was carrying a tray with a small glass of water and a white pill. Clara looked at the pill with fear because it always made her feel dizzy and weak. Julian, Evelyn's son from a past marriage, stood near the door watching silently.
Clara: I do not want to take that pill today.
Evelyn: You must take your medicine, darling. Your father wanted you to stay healthy.
Clara: It makes my head hurt so much.
Julian: Just take it, Clara. Mom knows what is best for you.
Clara took the glass with trembling hands and swallowed the pill. She knew that arguing never helped in this home. Ever since her mother Victoria had disappeared years ago, Clara felt completely alone. Victoria was declared dead after a terrible boat accident, but Clara always kept a small picture of her hidden inside her book.
Later that afternoon, Clara felt a sharp pain in her chest. She gasped for air as her throat began to close up rapidly. She realized that something in her food had triggered a severe allergic reaction. She fell out of her wheelchair onto the hard wood floor of the home office.
Clara: My Epipen! Please!
Evelyn walked into the office slowly, holding the orange Epipen just out of Clara's reach. Julian stood behind his mother, looking down at his phone. Instead of helping, Evelyn set the pen on a high shelf far above the floor.
Evelyn: You do not need that just yet, Clara. We have things to sign first.
Clara: I can not breathe... please help me!
Julian: Mom, her face is turning red. Should we really wait?
Evelyn: Quiet, Julian. She will sign the trust fund papers over to us, or she gets nothing.
Clara reached out toward her dropped phone on the floor. Her fingers were cold, and her eyesight was growing blurry. With the last bit of strength in her body, she tapped a single speed-dial button on the screen before her arm dropped.