Chapter 3 - The Descent
The staircase was wide and majestic, curving elegantly toward the center of the grand hall.
As Valeria slowly descended, she kept her eyes focused on the steps, her right hand sliding gently down the heavy wooden banister. Her left hand remained firmly cupped beneath her pregnant belly, instinctively shielding her baby from the overwhelming noise and energy of the crowd below.
The massive crystal chandelier hung directly above the center landing of the stairs. It was a colossal structure of brass, steel, and thousands of hanging glass prisms, weighing over a ton. It cast a brilliant, blinding, beautiful light over the entire foyer.
Valeria reached the middle landing, pausing for just a fraction of a second to catch her breath. The sheer physical weight of her third trimester made every movement exhausting.
The string quartet below shifted into a lively, upbeat symphony. The guests laughed loudly, entirely oblivious to the pregnant woman standing above them.
Then, a sudden, rapid sound of footsteps echoed from the upper hallway.
Someone was running frantically toward the top of the stairs.
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Valeria turned her head slightly, confused by the sudden breach of protocol in such a formal setting.
A dark shadow emerged from the corridor and rushed onto the top landing.
