David: What happened here?! Somebody tell me what just happened to her!
I dropped frantically to my knees beside Clara’s motionless body on the cold marble, pressing two fingers against her neck to check for a faint pulse while my hands shook uncontrollably[cite: 3].
Clara: I don't know! I swear I don't know what went wrong! She just lost her footing!
Clara had collapsed right beside us, falling hard to her knees with her hands raised in distress while sobbing hysterically into her palms[cite: 3].
David: Clara, look at me! Did you touch her? Did you push her down these stairs?
Clara: No! No, David, please believe me, she slipped! She just slipped[cite: 3]!
Her desperate, hyperventilating breath echoed through the grand foyer as she wept frantically, her tears streaming down a face twisted in panic and raw terror[cite: 3].
David: Clara, stop crying and help me check if she's breathing! Call an ambulance right now!
Clara: She slipped, David! I tried to grab her jacket, but I was too late! It was a terrible accident[cite: 3]!
A low ominous string pulse hummed from the upper landing, drawing my attention away from the bloody scene on the floor toward the grand staircase[cite: 3]. Standing rigidly alone in front of the American flag at the top landing, our young son in a sharp black suit watched the entire chaos unfold with a chillingly calm composure[cite: 3].
David: Leo? Did you see what happened from up there, buddy? Did Grandma slip?
Leo stared down at us with a deadpan expression, raising his small hand to point a steady finger straight toward his mother[cite: 3].
Leo: Dad, she pushed Grandma[cite: 3].
David: What did you just say, Leo?
Leo: I saw her do it. Mommy shoved her right over the edge[cite: 3].