The Sterling Estate was decorated for a beautiful family celebration. White marble surrounded the sparkling swimming pool, fresh flowers lined the garden paths, and soft music drifted through the warm afternoon air.
Inside the mansion, guests laughed while waiting for the guest of honor to arrive.
Outside, however, something far more sinister was unfolding.
Margaret, an elderly woman wearing comfortable purple pajamas, slowly walked beside the pool, enjoying the peaceful afternoon.
Behind her stood a younger woman dressed in an elegant gray silk gown.
Her smile disappeared the moment they were alone.
Without warning, she shoved Margaret with both hands.
The elderly woman stumbled backward toward the edge of the pool.
She desperately reached for the railing.
She missed.
A loud splash echoed across the courtyard as she fell into the deep water.
Margaret surfaced only briefly before panic overwhelmed her.
She struggled desperately to stay above the water.
"Please... I can't swim! Help me!"
Her frightened cries echoed across the garden.
Instead of helping, the woman calmly walked to the edge of the pool.
She looked down with a cruel smile.
"Julian isn't here to save you!"
Margaret fought to reach the marble edge.
Her trembling fingers finally grabbed the side of the pool.
For one hopeful moment, it looked like she might escape.
Then the woman deliberately stepped on her hand with the heel of her silver shoe.
Margaret cried out in pain.
Her grip slipped.
She fell back into the water once again.
The attacker believed there were no witnesses.
She was wrong.