The bright morning sun shone through the tall glass windows of the estate foyer.
Clara stood near the edge of the polished white floor.
She held her hands gently over her small baby bump.
Her heart beat fast as she looked up the staircase.
Eleanor stood at the top step in her long green gown.
Eleanor: Why are you still standing in my house?
Clara: I came here to talk to Arthur about the medical bills.
Eleanor: You think my son owes you anything at all?
Clara: He is the father of this child, Eleanor.
Eleanor: You are just trying to steal our family fortune.
Clara took a step backward toward the main double doors.
She kept her eyes on the angry older woman.
Clara: I never wanted your family money.
Eleanor: You have been lying to Arthur since the day you met!
Clara: That is not true and you know it!
Eleanor gripped the polished wooden banister with tight fingers.
Her face twisted with deep anger and sharp resentment.
Eleanor: I know who your father really was, Clara.
Clara: Leave my father out of this discussion!
Eleanor: He was the accountant who tried to audit my estate!
Clara gasped loudly as the truth came into the light.
She had no idea her late father had known Eleanor.
Clara: What are you talking about right now?
Eleanor: He threatened to reveal my offshore accounts five years ago!
Clara: My father was an honest man who loved justice!
Eleanor: Your father was a threat to everything I built!
Eleanor rushed down three marble steps toward the young woman.
Clara raised her hands to protect her pregnant stomach.
Clara: Stay back from me, Eleanor!
Eleanor: You will sign these legal papers right now!
Eleanor pulled a thick white envelope from her silk pocket.
She waved the legal documents directly in Clara's nervous face.
Clara: I am not signing anything without a lawyer present.
Eleanor: You will sign away all rights to the family trust!
Clara: This baby deserves a proper future and a father!
Eleanor: You will get nothing from this estate!
Clara backed away further toward the polished marble steps.
Her left heel caught the edge of a small decorative rug.
Clara: Please stop crowding me right now!
Eleanor: Sign the paper or leave this town forever!
Eleanor reached out aggressively to grab Clara's wrist.
Clara pulled her arm back with a sharp gasp of fear.
The quick motion caused Clara to lose her balance completely.
She stumbled backward right on the slippery marble step.
Clara: Oh no, stop!
Eleanor reached forward as if to grab her dress.
The sudden shove in the air pushed Clara off balance.
Clara tumbled down the lower steps onto the bright floor.
She landed heavily on her side on the marble tiles.
A loud gasp echoed through the large open foyer.
Clara lay motionless as her eyes slowly closed shut.