Footsteps echoed loudly down the bright white marble hallway outside the bathroom door.
Gabriel had caught an earlier flight home after feeling uneasy about the storm.
He carried his leather briefcase, walking fast toward the sound of loud shouting.
He passed the tall American flag standing in the hallway near the door.
Gabriel stepped into the marble bathroom, his eyes widening in total shock.
Gabriel: Oliver! What on earth is happening in here right now?!
Clara immediately altered her stance, turning toward her husband with fake tears.
She ran up to Gabriel and clung tightly to his expensive dark suit jacket.
Clara: Darling! Thank goodness you are home! She attacked me!
Clara sobbed loudly, pointing a trembling finger at Elena standing near the wall.
Clara: Elena went crazy and put Oliver in danger near the tub!
Gabriel looked at Elena with a mixture of confusion and growing anger.
Elena stood her ground firmly, despite the heavy red mark of stress on her face.
She held the crying baby close, soothing his frantic breathing with gentle pats.
Elena: Look at this CCTV footage right now, sir! She endangered your baby!
Elena held up her smartphone, turning the bright screen directly toward Gabriel.
Gabriel took the phone with shaking hands and pressed the play button on screen.
The crystal-clear video clip played with full original audio in high resolution.
It showed Clara bringing Oliver into the room while making her cruel statement.
It showed her clear intent to harm the innocent child to claim estate wealth.
Gabriel watched the footage in complete, total silence as his jaw tightened hard.
The color drained entirely from his face, replaced by intense, icy fury.
He looked up from the screen and turned slowly toward his new wife.
Clara stepped back in terror, realizing her elaborate deception was completely destroyed.
Gabriel: You monster! How could you do this to my child?!
Clara: Gabriel, please! I can explain everything! It was a mistake!
Gabriel: Do not ever speak his name again! You are sick!
Gabriel stepped forward with immense anger, his voice echoing off marble walls.
Clara stumbled backward in panic, losing her balance on the wet tile floor.
She crashed down onto the floor, looking up at Gabriel with weeping eyes.
The illusion of the loving stepmother was permanently shattered in that instant.