The heavy front doors swung open with a deep creaking noise below.
Ethan stepped into the foyer carrying a thick stack of legal files.
He stopped near the hall table when he heard voices echoing from above.
Ethan: Emily? Are you upstairs near the library?
Emily: Ethan! Please come up here right now!
Ethan dropped his paperwork onto the marble floor in sudden panic.
He ran up the first few steps of the staircase with heavy strides.
He saw Emily sitting on the landing clutching her stomach tightly.
Margaret was still standing directly over her with a stiff posture.
Ethan: Emily, what happened? Are you hurt?
Ethan reached the top landing and dropped to his knees beside his wife.
He put a arm around her shoulders and checked her hands for injuries.
Emily: She cornered me right near the edge of the steps!
Margaret: That is a complete lie, Ethan, she lost her balance!
Emily: She threatened me and said I was ruining your life!
Margaret: She threw herself down to frame me because she wants attention!
Ethan turned his head slowly to look up at his mother's cold face.
His expression changed from deep worry to total and absolute fury.
Ethan: Did you stand over my pregnant wife and threaten her?
Margaret: I was simply trying to talk sense into her about the will.
Ethan: Get away from her right now, Margaret!
Margaret took a small step back, looking surprised by his raised voice.
She adjusted her jacket again and tried to look perfectly calm and composed.
Margaret: You are taking her side over your own birth mother.
Ethan: I am taking the side of my wife and unborn child.
Emily leaned against Ethan's shoulder as tears spilled down her cheeks.
Her hands were trembling as she held tightly to his blue shirt sleeve.
Emily: She said she would ruin you if I told you the truth.
Ethan: Nobody is going to ruin anyone in this house today.
Ethan helped Emily stand up slowly and checked her balance on the floor.
She took a deep breath and confirmed that she was feeling okay.
Ethan: We are leaving this estate right now, and we are not coming back.
Margaret: If you walk out that door, I will cut off your inheritance.
Ethan: Keep every single cent of your miserable money, Margaret.