The bright sun shone through the high windows of the grand white mansion.
Celia stood near the curved balcony railing on the second floor.
She wore a beautiful royal purple satin dress that moved gently with the breeze.
Around her neck rested a classic strand of white pearls.
The pearls were a warm family gift from her husband Victor.
Celia smiled softly as she looked down at the large foyer below.
Everything felt peaceful inside the spacious home on that warm afternoon.
She loved the quiet moments before her husband returned from his office downtown.
Behind her, soft footsteps moved silently across the plush rug.
His stepmother Victoria stepped out from behind a tall wooden pillar.
Victoria wore a sharp grey blazer and dark leather gloves.
Her face looked bitter and cold as she stared at the young bride.
Victoria had hated Celia since the day Victor brought her into the family home.
She believed Celia only cared about the family money and the estate trust fund.
Victoria reached into her pocket and pulled out heavy wire cutters.
She moved closer without making a single sound on the floor.
Celia did not hear the older woman coming up from behind.
Victoria raised her hand and brought the sharp tool right up to the pearls.
With a sharp snip, the string snapped completely in half.
The white pearls scattered across the wooden railing and fell onto the floor.
Celia gasped in surprise and reached up for her bare neck.
She turned her head around quickly to see who had touched her.
Before Celia could say a word, Victoria placed both hands on her shoulders.
Victoria gave a strong, cruel shove with all her strength.
Celia lost her balance completely over the high white railing.
She cried out in total terror as she fell downward toward the hard floor.
Her body dropped straight into the large, open marble foyer below.
A loud sound echoed through the entire mansion as Celia hit the floor.
She lay completely still on the cold tiles beneath the high ceiling.
The white pearls bounced and rolled all around her motionless body.
Victoria stood up high on the balcony and looked down without any pity.
She quickly pulled off her gloves and hid the cutters in her pocket.
Victoria took a deep breath and tried to look frightened and worried.
She raised her hands to her mouth to make herself look innocent.
The heavy mahogany front doors suddenly burst open at the bottom of the stairs.
Victor walked inside holding his leather briefcase and his car keys.
He stopped dead in his tracks the moment he saw his wife on the ground.
The briefcase dropped from his hand and hit the floor hard.
Victor ran across the room as fast as his feet could carry him.
He dropped to his knees right beside Celia's limp body.
His heart beat wildly as he reached out to pull her close.