The morning sun poured brightly through the tall arched windows of the spacious living room.
Clara stood near the oak dining table while holding a fresh cup of dark coffee.
She looked around the quiet home that her late husband spent years building for them.
Her six year old daughter Emma was playing quietly on the rug nearby.
Emma wore her favorite red pajamas and stacked painted wooden blocks into high towers.
The peaceful atmosphere dissolved suddenly when the heavy front door swung open without a knock.
Clara turned her head quickly and felt a sudden sharp chill run down her back.
Her late husband's brother Marcus walked inside with a confident grin on his face.
Right behind him came Evelyn who was Clara's wealthy stepmother in law.
Evelyn carried a dark leather briefcase and held a glass of white wine casually.
Clara: Why are you coming inside my house without knocking Marcus?
Marcus: We do not need to knock on property that belongs to our family fund.
Clara: This house belongs to my daughter and me according to the final estate will.
Evelyn: That old document is going to be updated before the end of the day.
Evelyn took a slow sip from her glass and sat down on the linen sofa.
Marcus tossed a heavy black leather folder directly onto the glass dining table.
Marcus: Open the folder and sign the second page right now Clara.
Clara: I am not signing anything without talking to my lawyer first.
Marcus: Your lawyer is not going to answer your call today Clara.
Clara stepped back slowly toward the hallway entrance where Emma was watching.
Emma dropped her wooden blocks and looked up at her mother with wide frightened eyes.
Emma: Mommy why is uncle Marcus yelling at you?
Clara: Go back to your room sweetie and wait for me there.
Evelyn: Let the little girl watch how real adult business gets handled here.
Marcus blocked the archway leading toward the front entrance with his shoulders broad.
Marcus: You are transferring the property deed to the family trust before we leave.
Clara: That trust fund was set up specifically for Emma's future college fund.
Marcus: That money belongs in our corporate account where it can earn profits.
Clara felt her heart beating rapidly against her ribs as she clutched her phone.
She realized that Marcus had intentionally blocked her path to the front driveway.
Evelyn set her wine glass down on the wooden side table with a click.
Evelyn: Do not make this harder than it needs to be Clara.
Clara: You are taking advantage of my husband's death for your own gain.
Marcus: We are taking what should have been ours from the very beginning.
Clara reached for her mobile phone inside her sweater pocket with trembling fingers.
Marcus immediately stepped forward and knocked the small device right out of her hand.
The phone skittered across the dark hardwood floor toward the kitchen counter.
Marcus: Nobody is coming to help you make decisions today.
Clara: You cannot keep me inside my own house Marcus!
Evelyn: We can stay here as long as it takes for you to cooperate.
Emma shrank back into the shadows of the hallway while clutching her small doll.
She remembered the old landline phone mounted on the wall near the back pantry.
Her grandfather had taught her how to dial his emergency number just last month.
Clara raised her hands to protect her path as Marcus moved closer to her.
Clara: Touch me again and I will call the local police department immediately.
Marcus: Look at your phone lying useless across the room Clara.
Evelyn: Sign the trust fund papers and we will leave you alone forever.
Clara knew she needed to buy time for her young daughter to stay safe.