The bright afternoon sun streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of the Sterling family’s luxury penthouse, illuminating the polished white marble floor[cite: 1]. Clara stood near the center of the room, her hands resting gently over her eight-month pregnant belly[cite: 1]. Across from her, Victoria’s eyes flickered with intense hatred[cite: 1].
Victoria: You really thought you could just walk in here and take everything that belongs to this family?
Clara: Victoria, please[cite: 1]. I just came here to drop off Marcus’s medical reports like he asked me to[cite: 1].
Victoria: You don't belong in this mansion, Clara[cite: 1]. You are a nobody from a small town, and Marcus made a huge mistake marrying you[cite: 1].
Clara: We are having a baby together[cite: 1]. Marcus loves me, and I love him[cite: 1]. Why do you hate me so much?
Victoria: Because this estate, this money, and this trust fund were supposed to be mine and my brother's[cite: 1]! You are taking away our inheritance!
Clara: I don't care about the money or the estate[cite: 1]! I just want a peaceful family for my baby!
Victoria: Well, you aren't going to get it[cite: 1].
Before Clara could react or step backward, Victoria leaned in with a cruel smile and violently shoved Clara with both hands right against her shoulders[cite: 1]. Clara let out a sharp, terrified gasp as her balance completely broke on the smooth marble[cite: 1].
She flew backward, her feet sliding across the floor[cite: 1]. Her lower back crashed directly into the edge of a heavy glass coffee table, shattering the thick glass top into hundreds of sharp, glittering pieces before she hit the hard marble floor[cite: 1]. Pain exploded through her abdomen, and she clutched her pregnant belly, groaning in sheer agony among the broken glass[cite: 1].
Clara: Ah...! My baby... Please, God, no...! My baby...!
Victoria stepped back quickly, looking at Clara groaning on the floor, but instead of helping, she unbuttoned her own collar, messy her own hair, and fell to her knees[cite: 1]. She began sobbing hysterically, holding her cheeks in fake terror just as heavy footsteps sprinted down the hallway toward the living room doors[cite: 1].