CHAPTER 1 — The Fall
CHAPTER 1 — The Fall
The scream echoed through the marble hallway.
“You ruined my life!”
Claire’s hands slammed into the pregnant woman’s shoulders.
One violent push.
The world tilted.
Then impact.
Cold wood. Sharp pain. A breath knocked out of her lungs.
The pregnant woman lay still at the bottom of the grand staircase, one arm wrapped tightly around her stomach.
Above her—
Claire collapsed into tears instantly.
“Oh my God… she attacked me! She attacked me first!”
Her performance was perfect.
Trembling voice.
Shaking hands.
Fearful eyes.
The caretaker hesitated at the top of the stairs, confused.
“I… I think she fell—”
“No!” Claire sobbed louder. “She tried to hurt me!”
The room tilted toward belief.
Because she was crying.
Because she looked fragile.
Because people always trust the louder victim.
Below them, the pregnant woman slowly shifted.
No one noticed her hand slipping into her coat pocket.
No one noticed her breathing change.
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Slow… controlled… intentional.
Then she picked up her phone.
