The bright white lights of the hospital emergency room flickered overhead as paramedics pushed Evelyn's gurney down the hallway. Julian walked right beside her, holding her cold hand tightly in both of his.
Doctor Vance: What happened to the patient?
Julian: She was pushed out of her wheelchair onto a stone floor! She hit her left side hard, and she was forced to swallow alcohol!
Doctor Vance: Get her into Trauma Room Three right now! We need an immediate ultrasound to check the fetal heart rate!
Evelyn: Julian... please stay with me... don't let them take you away...
Julian: I'm right here, baby. I'm not going anywhere.
The nurses hooked up monitors to Evelyn's chest and placed a warm gel probe on her stomach. The room was tense and quiet, save for the rhythmic, fast beating sound of a tiny heartbeat suddenly filling the air through the machine's speakers.
Doctor Vance: The baby's heartbeat is strong, but there is clear evidence of placental trauma. We need to keep her under strict bed rest and monitor her for internal bleeding.
Julian: Is the baby going to be okay, Doctor?
Doctor Vance: If we keep her elevated and completely stress-free, yes. But any further physical impact or high emotional trauma could trigger premature labor.
Evelyn: Thank God... oh, thank God...
Evelyn let out a long, shuddering sob, burying her face against Julian's sleeve. Julian kissed her forehead gently, wiping away her tears with his fingers.
Julian: You're both going to be okay, sweetheart. I'm going to handle everything now.
A knock sounded at the glass door of Trauma Room Three. Detective Miller, a sharp-eyed officer wearing a brown trench coat, stepped inside holding a small digital notebook.
Detective Miller: Mr. Vance? I'm Detective Miller from the domestic violence unit. The maid from your estate, Clara, met our officers at the front gate and handed over a statement.
Julian: Good. Did Clara tell you what my mother did?
Detective Miller: She gave a detailed description of the physical assault, sir. But before we can execute an arrest warrant on a high-profile resident in this district, we need official statements and any corroborating evidence.
Julian: The entire mansion foyer is equipped with forty-eight-hour continuous security cameras, Detective. The recording server is located in my father's old private office.
Evelyn: Julian... Beatrice has the key to that office. She might delete the video!
Julian: She doesn't have the master access code. Only I do.
Detective Miller: If you can provide us with that camera footage showing the assault, Mr. Vance, we will have enough grounds to arrest Beatrice Vance for felony assault on a pregnant person.
Julian: My corporate lawyer is meeting us at the estate in twenty minutes. Detective, follow me back to the house right now. It's time my mother answered for what she's done.