Julian: What did you just do?!
Beatrice: Julian! You... you weren't supposed to be home until tomorrow!
Julian: What is going on here?! Evelyn!
Julian sprinted across the foyer, his polished leather shoes skidding slightly on the marble as he dropped to his knees beside his wife.
Evelyn: Julian... my stomach... it hurts so bad...
Julian: Don't move, sweetheart. Don't move. Clara, call an ambulance right now!
Clara: Yes, Mr. Julian! Right away!
Clara pulled her phone from her apron pocket, her hands shaking as she dialed emergency services and ran into the kitchen.
Beatrice: Julian, don't listen to them! She fell! She's making a scene to get your attention!
Julian: She fell?! Her wheelchair is flipped over! There's broken glass everywhere!
Beatrice: She was being careless! She knocked over the side table herself!
Evelyn: She... she forced liquor into my mouth, Julian... she shoved my chair...
Julian: You tried to force alcohol on a pregnant woman?!
Beatrice: She's lying to you! She's trying to ruin our family name!
Julian reached down and picked up the wet glass lying on the floor. He sniffed the rim, his eyes darkening with intense rage as he smelled the strong, sharp scent of hard whiskey.
Julian: This is sixty-percent rye whiskey, Mother. You know Evelyn is six months pregnant with your grandchild!
Beatrice: She is not worthy of carrying a Vance heir! She's a nobody! A middle-class girl who tricked you into a marriage contract!
Julian: She is my wife! She is the woman I love!
Beatrice: You ruined our estate's reputation by bringing her into this mansion! I was only doing what was necessary to protect our family heritage!
Julian: You put my wife and child in danger! If anything happens to them, I swear to God you will never see the light of day again!
Evelyn squeezed her eyes shut, gasping as another sharp pain shot through her lower abdomen. Julian wrapped his arms carefully around her back and legs, lifting her off the cold marble floor and holding her close against his chest.
Evelyn: Please... don't let her near me...
Julian: She won't ever come near you again, Evelyn. I promise you.
Beatrice: Where do you think you're taking her?! Put her down! We need to talk about the corporate press release!
Julian: Step away from me, Beatrice.
Beatrice: Did you just call me Beatrice?! I am your mother!
Julian: A mother doesn't push a pregnant woman onto a hard stone floor. You are a monster.
Julian carried Evelyn out the front double doors just as the distant wail of ambulance sirens began to echo down the long estate driveway. Beatrice stood alone in the grand hallway, her face white with shock as she looked down at the scattered ultrasound photos soaking in dark whiskey on the white marble floor.