Chapter 10 - The Threat to the Unborn
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The following afternoon, the estate was quiet. Julian had rushed to the city center to meet with federal prosecutors off the record, leaving Elena alone at the estate under the watchful eyes of the house staff.
Elena walked down the grand marble staircase, intending to meet her doctor for a routine prenatal checkup. As she reached the top landing, she noticed the polished marble steps were oddly slick.
Before she could react, her foot slipped on a thin, nearly invisible layer of industrial oil wiped across the edge of the third step.
Elena gasped, her balance failing as she tipped forward over the steep drop.
"No!" Elena cried out, her maternal instincts taking over instantly.
With sheer willpower and desperate agility, Elena twisted her body, grabbing the heavy wooden banister with both hands. The wrenching force jolted her shoulder violently, but she managed to catch herself, landing hard on her knees against the carpeted landing rather than tumbling down twenty feet of hard marble.
Breathing heavily, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs, Elena clutched her lower stomach. "My babies..." she gasped, tears of shock springing to her eyes.
From the shadow of the upper archway, a figure stepped forward.
Vanessa stood there, holding a small silk handkerchief, her eyes cold, unfeeling, and filled with deep frustration that Elena hadn't broken her neck.
"You really are remarkably agile, Elena," Vanessa said softly, her voice barely a whisper. "A fall like that could have ended so many problems for this family."
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Elena pulled herself up, holding the banister tight, her eyes burning with pure fire. "You tried to kill me."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Vanessa replied with an evil smile. "The housekeeping staff must have used too much wax. You really should be more careful in your delicate condition."
