Julian rushed into the main foyer with his briefcase still clutched in his hand.
He stopped instantly in his tracks when he saw his wife sitting doubled over.
Julian: Elena! What happened to you on the stairs?!
Elena: Julian... help me, please!
Julian dropped his leather briefcase onto the floor without caring where it landed.
He sprinted across the shiny marble floor toward the base of the staircase.
His face was completely pale with shock as he reached his trembling wife.
Julian: Don't move, sweetheart, just stay right where you are!
He knelt down beside her and gently placed his arm around her back.
Elena leaned into his warm chest, shaking uncontrollably from the terrifying shock.
Julian: Are you hurt? Tell me where it hurts right now!
Elena: My stomach hurts, Julian... she pulled my bag and I slipped.
Julian turned his head sharply and looked up toward the top of the stairs.
Victoria was standing near the banister with her hands placed over her mouth.
Julian: What did you do to my wife, Mother?!
Victoria: It was an accident, Julian! She lost her footing on the carpet!
Julian: Do not lie to me while she is sitting here in pain!
Victoria: She was keeping secrets about the trust fund papers from us!
Julian: I don't care about any trust fund papers or your stupid money!
Julian pulled his cell phone quickly out of his sharp charcoal suit jacket.
His fingers trembled as he unlocked the screen and dialed emergency services.
The call connected immediately, and a loud dispatcher voice filled the quiet room.
Dispatcher: Emergency 911, what is the exact location of your emergency?
Julian: I need an ambulance at the Vance estate on Hilltop Drive immediately!
Dispatcher: Is someone injured or in immediate danger at that address?
Julian: My pregnant wife was pushed on the staircase and is in severe distress!
Victoria: Julian, tell them the truth! Nobody pushed her down!
Julian ignored his mother completely as he gave the dispatcher all necessary details.
Julian: Please hurry, she is having severe stomach cramps right now!
Dispatcher: Paramedics are on their way, stay on the line with me.
Julian ended the call and placed the phone back into his inner pocket.
He lifted Elena carefully into his arms and carried her to the sofa.
He adjusted the soft velvet cushions behind her back so she could breathe easily.
Julian: You are going to be fine, both of you are going to be fine.
Elena: Look at the papers on the floor, Julian... read what she brought.
Julian turned toward the stairs where the loose documents were scattered everywhere.
He walked over and picked up a heavy white paper stamped with legal seals.
His eyes scanned the top lines, and his expression changed from worry to rage.
Julian: Mother... why is my name listed as removed from the family estate?