Sarah lost her balance instantly, her feet slipping on the slick polished surface near the broken crystal. She twisted her body instinctively in mid-air, desperate to protect her stomach from the impending impact. Her body slammed down hard onto the cold floor, her knees and hands landing directly on the sharpest edges of the shattered glass. The sudden, agonizing pain ripped through her body like lightning, making her scream out loud into the empty hall. Deep red blood immediately began to pool beneath her knees, soaking into the bottom of her light silk robe. Sarah clutched her rounded belly tightly with both arms, curling herself into a ball to keep her unborn child elevated away from the sharp floor. Tears flooded her eyes instantly as sharp, agonizing pain radiated through her lower back and legs.
Sarah: My baby! Please, God, save my baby!
Victoria stood over her, completely unmoved by the horrific sight of Sarah bleeding on the floor. Her eyes were wide and cold, filled with a disturbing satisfaction that made Sarah's heart freeze with dread. Victoria quickly reached up to her own silk collar, ripping the delicate fabric near her throat to make it look as though she had been involved in a violent physical struggle. She deliberately messaged her own hair, creating a wild, unkempt appearance within seconds. Sarah watched through a veil of tears and blinding pain, realized with terrifying clarity what Victoria was planning to do. Victoria was setting up a scene, framing Sarah as the unstable aggressor before anyone else could arrive to see the truth.
Sarah: Why are you doing this to me? I never hurt you!
Victoria: You took the estate, Sarah. You took the inheritance that belonged to my branch of this family.
Sarah: It is just money! How can you sacrifice a child for money?
Victoria: Money is power, darling. And you are about to lose everything.
Sarah tried to push herself up, but every small movement sent fresh shards of glass deeper into her palms and knees. The intense physical pain was overwhelming, but the emotional terror of losing her baby was far worse. She squeezed her eyes shut and began to pray softly, pressing her body as still as possible to prevent further injury. The silence of the mansion felt suffocating, punctuated only by her own ragged sobs and the quiet, calculated breathing of the woman standing over her. Victoria walked toward the large front doors, waiting patiently like a predator waiting for the final act of a tragic show to begin.
The quiet atmosphere was suddenly broken by the heavy sound of a luxury vehicle pulling into the grand driveway outside. Tires crunched sharply against the gravel, followed quickly by the heavy slam of a car door. Sarah recognized the sound immediately and felt a tiny flicker of hope ignite in her chest despite the agonizing pain gripping her lower body. Marcus had returned earlier than expected from his meeting with the estate lawyers. Victoria instantly shifted her posture, dropping to her knees near the edge of the hallway, manufacturing loud, trembling sobs to make herself appear like a helpless victim who had barely survived an attack.