The grand foyer of the Vance estate was completely silent except for the heavy ticking of the grandfather clock.
Elena stood near the bottom of the grand curved staircase while holding her breath.
She placed a gentle hand over her pregnant belly and tried to steady her rapid pulse.
Above her on the upper landing, Victoria Vance was looking down with absolute coldness.
Victoria wore a dark teal gown that matched the solemn mood of the massive mansion.
She held a thick manila folder tightly against her chest with both hands.
Victoria: You really thought you could hide the truth from my son forever?
Elena: I have never lied to Julian about anything in my life.
Victoria: You came from nothing, and you expect to inherit half of this estate.
Elena: I do not care about your money or your grand estate, Victoria.
Victoria: That is what every fortune hunter says before the papers are signed.
Elena took a slow step up the carpeted stair runner toward her mother-in-law.
She wanted to show that she was not intimidated by Victoria's cruel words.
The sunlight poured through the high stained glass windows, throwing sharp shadows across the floor.
Elena: I love your son, and we are building a real family together.
Victoria: You are ruining his future and destroying our family legacy!
Victoria marched down three steps until she was standing directly above Elena.
Her face was twisted with sharp anger that she had hidden for months.
Victoria: I will make sure Julian signs the divorce papers before this week ends.
Elena: You cannot force him to leave his wife and unborn child.
Victoria: Watch me turn him against you before the sun goes down today.
Elena reached out her hand to grasp the carved mahogany banister for support.
The tension in the hallway was so thick that neither woman dared to blink.
Elena felt a sudden wave of dizziness hit her as her heart pounded hard.
Elena: Please step back and let me walk back down to the hall.
Victoria: Not until you hand over the signed prenuptial agreement right now.
Elena: I signed everything your lawyers brought to me three months ago.
Victoria: You signed a copy, but you kept the original document hidden away!
Victoria reached forward abruptly and grabbed Elena's leather handbag from her shoulder.
The sudden pull caused Elena to lose her footing on the narrow edge.
Elena let out a sharp cry as her heel slid off the polished wood.
She grabbed the banister with both hands to prevent herself from falling down.
Victoria backed away quickly, her hands shaking as the bag dropped to the floor.
The heavy handbag rolled down four steps and spilled papers across the marble.
Elena sank onto the step, clutching her stomach in sudden physical distress.
Elena: What have you done to me, Victoria?
Victoria: I didn't touch you, you just lost your balance on purpose!
Elena gasped for air as a sharp cramp tightened across her lower body.
She locked eyes with Victoria, who looked entirely frozen on the upper step.
The heavy front doors unlocked with a loud click from the main entrance below.