The glass stem of a wine glass shattered against the black-and-white checkered floor of the Dallas hallway[cite: 1].
Red wine pooled across the white tile, splashing onto the hem of Maya’s beige maternity dress as she hit the ground with a hard thud[cite: 1].
She clutched her seven-month pregnant belly, gasping for air as a sharp, agonizing pain shot through her stomach.
Above her stood her sister-in-law, Chloe, dressed in a dark red designer dress, her eyes cold and wild[cite: 1].
Chloe: Did you really think you could come into this family and take everything?
Maya: Chloe... please... the baby... call an ambulance...
Chloe: The baby? You were supposed to disappear months ago!
Maya tried to crawl backward, but her trembling hands slid in the spilled liquid on the slick floor.
Chloe stepped forward slowly, the sharp point of her high-heeled shoe raised directly over Maya’s rounded stomach.
Chloe: YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO DISAPPEAR!
Maya: Don't! Please, Chloe, don't do this!
Chloe: Nobody is around to save you now, Maya. By the time anyone comes down this hallway, it will be far too late.
The heavy mahogany double doors at the end of the corridor suddenly slammed open with a loud bang.
Ethan stood in the doorway in his black tuxedo, his jaw dropping in absolute shock.
Chloe's face flipped instantly from rage to sheer terror, and she dropped to her knees beside Maya, fake crying.
Chloe: SHE ATTACKED ME! Ethan, help me! She lost her mind and pushed me onto the floor!
Ethan took three rapid steps toward them, his eyes locking onto the high-definition surveillance camera blinking on the ceiling right above her head.
Ethan: THE CAMERAS WERE RECORDING.
Chloe froze mid-sob, her pale face turning completely white as she slowly looked up at the red blinking light.
Ethan: CALL 911 RIGHT NOW!