Victoria: You thought you could just walk in here with a pregnant belly and demand your inheritance?
Clara: It was my father’s final wish! He called me from the hospital before he died!
Victoria: Your father was weak in his final days! He didn't know what he was doing when he altered the trust fund!
Clara: He knew you were draining his bank accounts, Victoria! He wanted to protect me!
Victoria: Protection? Look at where his protection got you! You're bleeding on my floor!
Clara squeezed her eyes shut, her breathing heavy and shallow as she tried to calm the sharp pain in her abdomen. The contrast between her plain beige dress and Victoria's expensive maroon gown mirrored the cruel power dynamic that had defined Clara's entire life since her father passed away.
Clara: Why do you hate me so much? I never took anything from you!
Victoria: You exist! That is reason enough! Every time I look at your face, I see your father's first wife!
Clara: My mother built this company with him! You were just a socialite looking for a payout!
Victoria: Watch your mouth, girl! I am the head of this household now!
Victoria reached down and grabbed Clara by the collar of her beige dress, hauling her up slightly before shoving her back onto the hard marble tiles. The loud impact echoed through the high-ceilinged foyer, framed by the patriotic artwork on the pristine white walls.
Clara: Ah! Stop, please! You’re hurting my child!
Victoria: Good! That child is nothing but another threat to my daughter’s trust fund!
Clara: You're insane! The court will find out about the offshore accounts!
Victoria: The court belongs to my lawyers! I paid off the probate judge two months ago!
Victoria sneered, stepping on the edge of Clara’s beige dress to pin her to the ground. She leaned down, her voice dropping to a terrifying whisper right next to Clara’s ear.
Victoria: You were supposed to disappear into some small town and rot! Why did you come back to Dallas?
Clara: Because Ethan told me the truth! He found the original will in your safe!
Victoria’s eyes widened slightly, a sudden flicker of doubt crossing her ruthless expression before she quickly masked it with rage.
Victoria: Ethan doesn't know anything! He's my son! He will always take my side!
Clara: Ethan isn't like you, Victoria! He has a conscience!
Victoria: Ethan does what I tell him to do because I control his monthly allowance and his share of the company!
Clara: He knows you stole the insurance money meant for his sister’s medical care too!
Victoria: Shut up! Don't you dare speak his sister's name in this house!
Victoria raised her hand again, her arm drawn back high above her head as she prepared to strike Clara across the face. Clara covered her pregnant belly with both arms, steeling herself for the blow, while Victoria’s face twisted into an expression of pure, unadulterated evil.