The morning sun beamed brightly through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of the suburban home.
Sarah adjusted the belt of her light blue satin robe while pouring fresh orange juice.
Her seven-year-old daughter Chloe sat at the marble kitchen island in a lavender nightgown.
The house was quiet and peaceful on this warm Tuesday morning in suburban Ohio.
Sarah loved the quiet moments before her busy workday as an accountant began.
She looked up at the large American flag mounted proudly on the living room wall.
Her late father had served in the military and left her this beautiful estate.
Sarah: Do you want extra strawberries on your pancakes today, sweetie?
Chloe: Yes please, Mommy! Can we go to the park later too?
Sarah: We certainly can as soon as I finish checking my emails.
Suddenly, the heavy glass door at the back entrance rattled with a harsh knock.
Sarah froze in place and set the glass pitcher down on the counter.
She was not expecting any visitors or delivery drivers so early in the morning.
She walked cautiously toward the hallway that led to the heavy rear entryway.
Through the side window, she saw a tall man standing in a gray athletic shirt.
It was her estranged stepbrother Marcus, whom she had not seen in three years.
Marcus had spent years wasting his own money and blaming Sarah for his bad choices.
Sarah: Marcus? What are you doing at my home this early?
Marcus: Open the door, Sarah! We need to talk about our family inheritance right now!
Sarah: You know you are not allowed on this property without calling first.
Marcus: I am tired of waiting for lawyers to answer my letters!
Marcus pounded his heavy fist against the solid glass door frame with tremendous force.
Sarah backed away slowly while keeping her eyes locked onto his angry face.
She knew Marcus was deeply jealous of the trust fund her father had created.
The local probate court had already ruled that the entire estate belonged to Chloe.
Sarah: Please leave right now or I will press the police emergency button!
Marcus: You think that silly lock is going to keep me out today?
With a violent kick, the lock snapped and the door swung wide open.
Sarah gasped in terror as Marcus stepped directly into the bright hallway.
He looked furious and desperate as he glared at his former stepsister.
Marcus: Where are the legal papers for the house, Sarah?
Sarah: Get out of my home immediately, Marcus!
Sarah stumbled backward over the edge of the hallway rug and hit the floor.
Her ankle twisted painfully as her shoulder knocked hard against the lower wall.
She lay flat on her side in her satin robe, unable to stand up.
Chloe stood frozen by the kitchen island, staring with wide, frightened eyes.
Marcus stepped deeper into the residence with heavy, pounding footsteps.
Sarah knew she could not physically fight off her tall stepbrother right now.
She raised her hand toward Chloe and began flashing specific finger numbers quickly.
They had practiced emergency safety signals together many times as a fun game.
Sarah: Count to two... go!