The morning light beamed through the huge arched windows of the grand estate, illuminating the polished marble staircase. Clowe adjusted the silk fabric of her gold dress, her heart hammering wildly inside her chest. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, the day she secured her family legacy and married the man she loved. But standing at the top landing, looking at her stepmother Victoria, Clowe felt only ice in her veins. Victoria wore a cold, satisfied smile that sent chills straight down Clowe's spine.
Clowe: Where are the legal papers for the family estate?
Victoria: They are locked away where you will never touch them, darling.
Clowe: That money belongs to me and my father's trust fund.
Victoria: Your father left everything to his devoted wife, not you.
Clowe: You forced him to sign that stolen will while he was sick!
Victoria stepped closer, her expensive high heels clicking sharply against the cold floor. The air between them grew tight and suffocating. Clowe stood her ground, clutching her wedding day folder against her stomach. She had spent months tracking down the bank records and the altered life insurance paperwork. Victoria had stolen millions, leaving Clowe with nothing but debt and broken memories of her late parents. But Clowe finally had the court subpoena inside her folder, ready to serve it before the ceremony began.
Victoria: Give me that folder right now, Clowe.
Clowe: Never. The divorce lawyer and the judge already have copies.
Victoria: You are destroying this entire family over cheap greed!
Clowe: You destroyed us the day you forged my father's signature!
Victoria's eyes turned dark and furious as she reached out to grab the thick envelope. Clowe pulled back quickly, stepping toward the top edge of the grand staircase. The dark wood railing was smooth under her shaking fingers. Victoria lunged forward with sudden, violent force, pushing both of her palms directly into Clowe's chest. Clowe lost her balance instantly, her heels slipping off the edge of the smooth stone step. A sharp slide echoed through the quiet mansion as her body tilted backward into empty space.
Clowe: No! Mark, help me!
The fall was violent and fast. Clowe gasped as her body slammed hard against the sharp wooden steps, tumbling head over heels down the steep staircase. The rustle of gold satin ripped through the air alongside the heavy, sickening thuds of her knees and shoulders crashing into the hard edges. Down below, Mark rushed out of the side hallway just in time to see her body hurtling downward. He screamed her name in absolute horror as she finally hit the base, landing flat on the cold white marble floor.
Mark: Clowe! Oh my god, Clowe!
Clowe lay completely motionless on the marble, her blonde hair splayed out like a broken halo. Pain flared through her back, her ribcage, and her knees like hot fire. She opened her mouth in a soundless cry, her eyes squeezed shut as tears rushed down her bruised cheeks. Heavy breathing rasped from her throat while the world spun out of control around her. Upstairs, Victoria stood perfectly still at the top railing, covering her mouth with both hands to fake shock, though her eyes were cold and calculation filled her mind.