The officers dragged Esther out into the hallway, where dozens of hospital staff, patients, and lingering reporters filmed her crying out in panic as she was escorted toward the service elevators.
Inside room 412, the room fell into a quiet stillness, broken only by the steady rhythm of Clara's heart monitor.
Julian: How are you feeling, Clara? Be honest with me.
Clara: *Deep breath* My throat hurts... but for the first time in six months, I feel like I can finally breathe.
Julian: The doctor said your neck fracture is healing well. Another three weeks in the brace, and you'll be able to start physical therapy.
Clara: Did the police secure the mechanic's testimony?
Julian: Yes. He turned over the text messages and the wire transfer records from Esther's secret offshore account. The paper trail is ironclad.
Clara: I can't believe she was willing to take a human life for money... she had everything anyone could ever want.
Julian: Greed is a disease, Clara. Once someone believes they are entitled to everything, they lose sight of right and wrong.
Dr. Reynolds walked into the room, holding a medical chart and looking over Clara's vital signs monitor with a soft smile.
Dr. Reynolds: Your oxygen saturation levels are back up to ninety-eight percent, Clara. You suffered minor tissue irritation on your throat, but no permanent damage from the suffocation attempt.
Clara: Thank you, Doctor. Thank you for letting us set up the news conference in here.
Dr. Reynolds: Honestly, Miss Sterling, when your brother explained what was happening, I was skeptical. But seeing that woman try to smother you in a hospital bed made my blood run cold.
Julian: She won't ever step foot in this hospital again, Doctor. Or anywhere near my sister.
Dr. Reynolds: I've placed a full security detail outside your door for the remainder of your stay. Only authorized medical staff and your brother will be allowed on this floor.
Clara: Thank you, Dr. Reynolds.
The doctor nodded and stepped out of the room, leaving the siblings alone in the quiet evening light pouring through the wide glass window.
Julian: The estate lawyers are filing an emergency motion in probate court tomorrow morning to strip Esther of all marital inheritance rights under the Texas Slayer Statute.
Clara: What does that mean for Dad's estate?
Julian: It means one hundred percent of the company shares and property trust fund return to you and me, exactly as Dad originally intended before she altered his papers.
Clara: We can finally build the affordable housing complex in East Dallas, Julian. The project Dad always dreamed about.
Julian: We'll break ground on it the second you're out of this hospital bed.