Clara stood near the entrance of the city courthouse while holding a heavy paper file.
She felt her heart beating fast inside her chest as she looked down at the documents.
Her baby was due in less than two months, and every movement felt heavy.
She had spent the past three weeks searching through her late father's old business records.
Her older brother, Julian, had claimed that their father left the entire trust fund to him.
Julian had taken control of the family business and moved into the main estate house.
He told the family lawyer that Clara was excluded from the final life insurance policy.
Clara knew her father would never leave her without support for her unborn child.
Her husband, Marcus, had begged her to let the divorce lawyer handle the case in court.
Marcus was waiting downstairs near the clerk's office to file their official challenge today.
Clara took a slow breath and walked toward the grand central marble staircase.
The sunlight filtered through the large glass windows of the government building.
She saw Julian standing near the top steps while talking softly on his cell phone.
Julian turned around quickly when he heard her footsteps echoing on the stone floor.
His face turned pale as he saw the yellow folder in Clara's trembling hands.
Julian: What are you doing here with those old papers, Clara?
Clara: Father never signed this amended trust fund contract, Julian.
Julian: You don't know what you're talking about, Clara.
Clara: The notary seal on this copy is completely fake!
Julian: Hand those papers over to me right now!
Julian stepped forward with a harsh look in his eyes and reached out his hand.
Clara backed away toward the edge of the polished marble landing near the balcony.
She held the folder tight against her blue dress to protect the evidence inside.
Julian tried to grab the corner of the folder with a sudden jerky movement.
Clara pulled back sharply, but her foot slipped against the slick marble step edge.
She let out a loud gasp as she lost her balance near the top stair landing.
People standing in the lobby below looked up as her voice echoed through the hall.
Clara managed to sit down heavily on the top steps to stop herself from tumbling down.
The shock made her gasp for air as the folder fell and scattered pages everywhere.
Julian gasped and stepped back, looking terrified at the scene he had caused.