Before Victoria’s hand could make impact, the massive double wooden doors of the mansion foyer swung open with a loud, resounding thud that rattled the brass fixtures. Heavy footsteps echoed off the high-key black-and-white checkered marble floor as Ethan stepped into the bright house, dressed in a sleek charcoal tuxedo straight from the city charity gala.
Ethan froze in the threshold, his breath catching in his throat as his eyes took in the horrifying scene. His pregnant wife lay injured on the hard stone, her face pale and streaked with tears, while his mother stood poised to strike her down in her glamorous maroon dress.
Ethan: What in the world is happening here?!
Victoria: Ethan! Oh, thank God you’re home!
Without losing a beat, Victoria dropped to her knees right beside Clara on the checkered floor, her posture shifting in a fraction of a second from dominant predator to helpless victim. She pulled her maroon slit dress over her knees, pointing an unstable, manicured finger directly at Clara’s face as her eyes filled with crocodile tears.
Victoria: Ethan, call security! She broke into the house and attacked me!
Clara: Ethan... no... don't listen to her...
Victoria: She came in here screaming about the estate money! She shoved me against the wall and tried to steal the safe key!
Ethan: Mother... stop talking.
Victoria: Look at my wrists, Ethan! She tried to hurt me! Get her out of here before she hurts the family name!
Ethan took two slow, heavy steps forward, his tuxedo jacket shifting as his chest rose and fell in deep, furious breaths. His eyes were not fixed on Clara, but on his mother’s frantic, theatrical movements on the floor.
Ethan: You think I’m stupid, Mother?
Victoria: What are you saying? I’m your mother! I built this life for us!
Clara: Ethan... the baby... please check on the baby...
Ethan immediately broke his stride, dropping his formal posture to rush to Clara’s side. He fell to his knees on the marble floor, completely ignoring Victoria as he gently slid his hands under Clara’s shoulders to support her back.
Ethan: Clara, look at me! Are you hurt? Did she touch your stomach?
Clara: My back... she shoved me down onto the floor... Ethan, I was so scared...
Ethan: Shh, I’ve got you. I’m right here. You’re safe now.
Victoria: Ethan! Get away from that treacherous snake! She’s playing you for a fool just like her mother did to your father!
Ethan: Do not mention Clara’s mother! You aren't worthy to speak her name!
Victoria: How dare you talk to me like that in my own foyer! I am the mistress of this estate!
Ethan: You aren't the mistress of anything anymore, Victoria.
Ethan’s voice was ice-cold, dropping all formal respect as he glared at his mother from the floor. He slowly stood up, placing himself like an immovable wall between Victoria and his injured wife.
Victoria: What is that supposed to mean? I hold the power of attorney over the entire business!
Ethan: You think you hid your tracks so well when you altered the home system, don't you?
Victoria: The system was updated last week! None of your father's old access codes work!
Ethan: But my administrator codes do. I installed the security upgrades myself three months ago.