The bright morning sun shone brightly across the glass towers of downtown Dallas, Texas. Sarah stood near the edge of the high penthouse balcony, holding her swollen stomach with both hands. She was six months pregnant and full of hope for the future. Her husband Daniel had inherited millions from his family's real estate empire, but their marriage was far from happy. Daniel's mother, Victoria, had made Sarah feel unwelcome from the very first day she walked into their home.
Sarah adjusted her light blue dress as the cool Texas wind blew against her face. She looked down at the deep blue swimming pool located twenty floors below. The water looked tiny from up here, surrounded by white stone patio tiles and palm trees. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the anxiety that had been building inside her chest for weeks. Ever since she discovered Daniel's secret offshore bank accounts, everything in the house had felt tense and quiet.
Behind her, the large glass sliding doors opened softly. Victoria stepped out onto the sunlit terrace, wearing a expensive beige silk suit and holding a thick bundle of rope. Her grey hair was slicked back neatly, and her cold eyes fixed directly on Sarah's back. Victoria did not smile or say good morning. She walked slowly, her heels clicking against the smooth floor tiles with a sharp, steady rhythm that made Sarah turn around in surprise.
Sarah: Victoria, you scared me. Is everything okay with the lawyers?
Victoria: Everything is fine, Sarah. Or at least it will be very soon.
Sarah: What is that rope for? What are you doing out here?
Victoria: My son signed a prenup to protect his trust fund, but you tried to change his will.
Sarah: I only wanted to secure our baby's inheritance! Daniel promised me!
Victoria: Daniel promises many things when he wants someone to obey him.
Before Sarah could react, Victoria grabbed her arm with surprising strength and pushed her backward toward the railing. Sarah lost her balance on the smooth tiles and stumbled over the low glass wall. She screamed as her feet slipped off the edge, but her hand caught the thick rope tied to the heavy iron terrace pillar. She hung over the empty drop, suspended twenty stories high above the stone patio.
Sarah: Somebody help! Please! Victoria, please let me up!
Victoria: You brought this on yourself when you hired that divorce lawyer.
Sarah: My baby! Please, think about your own grandchild!
Victoria: That child will only ruin our family name and take our estate.
Sarah's fingers burned as the rough fibers of the rope strained under her weight. Her heart pounded violently against her ribs, and panic washed over her like ice water. She looked up and saw Victoria leaning over the ledge, slowly unhooking the safety knot that held the rope secured to the pillar. Victoria's face was completely calm, devoid of any sympathy or hesitation.