Julian gently set Clara down against the soft velvet sofa near the wall.
His hands trembled violently as he smoothed her dark brown hair back.
Clara sobbed quietly, holding her belly with both hands to comfort her baby.
Julian stood up slowly, turning his head toward the upper landing.
Julian: How could you do this to us, Mother?
Eleanor: I did not mean to make her fall, Julian!
Julian: You screamed at her and pushed your way toward her!
Eleanor: She lost her balance on her own skirt!
Julian: You cornered a pregnant woman on a steep staircase!
Julian pulled his smartphone out from inside his dark grey suit jacket.
He tapped the screen with trembling fingers, dialing three urgent digits.
Eleanor gasped loudly as she recognized what he was doing.
Eleanor: Put that phone away this instant, Julian!
Julian: I am calling emergency services right now.
Eleanor: You cannot bring the police into our family home!
Julian raised the phone directly to his right ear.
Julian: Send an ambulance and police officers to ninety-four Oak Drive immediately!
Operator: Sir, what is your exact emergency?
Julian: My mother just threatened my pregnant wife and caused her to fall!
Eleanor: Julian, stop this madness right now!
Julian: We need officers here right this second before she hurts someone else!
Julian ended the call and shoved the phone back into his pocket.
He walked over and knelt down directly beside Clara on the floor.
He pulled her into his arms, resting his forehead against hers.
Julian: Stay still, sweetie, help is on the way.
Clara: Thank you for catching us, Julian.
Julian: I will never let anyone put you in danger ever again.
Eleanor turned around and started pacing frantically across the balcony above.
Her emerald green jacket swished loudly with every quick step she took.
Eleanor: Think about the press, Julian, think about our family business!
Julian: The business is nothing compared to my wife and child!
Eleanor: I built this empire for you and your future!
Julian: You built it out of greed and pride, Mother!
Clara: Julian, my side is aching a little bit.
Julian looked down at Clara with fresh terror in his brown eyes.
Julian: Just stay completely still, honey, do not move at all.
Faint sirens began to echo from several miles away down the drive.
Eleanor froze near the upper doors, her eyes wide with growing panic.