Sarah reached out quickly to grab the thick brown folder from Evelyn's hands.
Evelyn pulled back to protect the important family trust papers.
Evelyn: Let go of my folder, Sarah!
Sarah: Just give it to me right now!
The two women tugged on the heavy paper edges high above the foyer.
Evelyn lost her balance on the edge of the slick marble step.
Her foot slipped off the top step as she gasped in surprise.
Sarah yanked the folder away forcefully right as Evelyn lost her footing.
Evelyn: Oh no!
Evelyn tumbled backward down the steep marble staircase.
A loud crash echoed across the vast high-ceiling home.
The sound of heavy impacts rang out through the bright hallway.
Evelyn landed hard on the polished marble floor at the bottom of the stairs.
She lay completely still beside the grand foyer entrance.
The thick folder papers scattered across the upper hallway balcony.
Sarah stood at the top step with her heart pounding in her chest.
She looked down at her mother-in-law's motionless body in terror.
Sarah: Oh my goodness...
Sarah quickly gathered the loose papers from the floor around her feet.
She stuffed them quickly into the pocket of her sleek beige blouse.
Mark heard the terrible noise from the open garage down the hall.
He dropped his car keys onto the concrete driveway with a loud clatter.
Mark: Mom?!
Mark sprinted into the house as fast as his feet could move.
He rounded the corner and saw his mother lying on the marble floor.
Mark: Mom, no! What happened here?!
Mark dropped down on his knees next to Evelyn's quiet body.
His hands shook violently as he checked her wrist for a pulse.
Mark: Someone call nine-one-one right now!
Sarah rushed down the stairs with fake tears covering her cheeks.
She dropped to her knees on the opposite side of Evelyn.
Sarah: Oh Mark, it was a terrible accident!
Mark: How did this happen?!
Sarah: She slipped! She just lost her balance and fell!
Sarah covered her mouth and sobbed dramatically.
Sarah: I tried to reach for her hand but I was too far away!
Mark pressed his fingers against his mother's pale forehead.
Mark: Hang in there, Mom, help is on the way.