Chapter 4 - The FallThe chandelier came down like a collapsing star.
Glass exploded through the foyer.
The sound was deafening.
Eleanor screamed and instinctively dropped toward the marble floor.
Martha reacted faster.
She grabbed Eleanor's shoulder and threw both of them behind the structural marble pillar beneath the staircase.
The chandelier crashed.
Thousands of crystals shattered across the floor.
White plaster dust filled the air.
For several seconds, neither woman moved.
Eleanor's hands immediately covered her stomach.
“Baby...”
Her voice trembled.
Martha looked at her.
“Are you hurt?”
Eleanor shook her head.
“No.”
Then she began crying.
Not because of the chandelier.
Because somewhere deep inside, she knew this had not been an accident.
Heavy footsteps thundered down the hallway.
Richard appeared.
His suit was perfectly pressed.
His hair was perfect.
His face was perfect.
But when he saw Eleanor alive, something flashed behind his eyes.
Disappointment.
Only for a fraction of a second.
Then it vanished.
“My God!”
Richard rushed forward.
“Eleanor!”
He dropped beside her.
“Are you all right?”
May you like
His voice sounded terrified.
His eyes did not.
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