CHAPTER 2 — THE CALL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
The moment Vanessa shoved me, my feet disappeared beneath me.
I remember reaching for the railing.
Missing it.
Then the sickening impact as my back struck the steps.
Pain exploded through my body.
I landed at the bottom of the staircase, one arm wrapped around my stomach.
Warm blood spread across my maternity dress.
"Claire!"
Mom hurried down the stairs.
For one brief second, I thought she was coming to help me.
Instead, she looked at Vanessa.
"Are you alright?"
Vanessa was breathing hard, tears already forming in her eyes.
"She provoked me."
Mom turned to me.
"Claire... apologize."
I stared at her in disbelief.
"I'm bleeding."
"You know your sister isn't herself. She's under so much stress."
My vision blurred.
The baby kicked weakly.
And somehow...
After thirty-two years of always being the peacemaker...
I whispered, "I'm sorry."
Mom sighed with relief.
"There. See? We can move past this."
That was the moment something inside me finally broke.
Not my body.
My loyalty.
With trembling fingers, I reached into my purse and took out my phone.
I made one call.
"Ethan..."
He answered immediately.
"Claire? What's wrong?"
"I need an ambulance."
There was silence.
Then I added quietly,
"And don't come alone."
Twenty minutes later, paramedics rushed into the house.
The lead medic looked at the blood on the floor and immediately called for a trauma team.
One of them asked the standard question.
"How did she fall?"
Before I could answer, Vanessa spoke.
"She lost her balance."
The paramedic looked at me.
I met his eyes.
"No."
"My sister pushed me."
The room fell silent.
May you like
The paramedic nodded once.
Without saying another word, he quietly informed dispatch that law enforcement would also be responding.
