Marcus: Emma, look at me. Are you bleeding? Are you in pain?
Emma: My... my stomach aches a little, Marcus. She kicked my hip and pushed me down when I wouldn't carry her trunks.
Marcus: I'm calling an ambulance right now. Don't move, sweetheart.
Marcus reached into his suit jacket, his fingers shaking uncontrollably as he dialed emergency services on his phone.
Marcus: Yes, I need an ambulance at 404 Highland Estate Drive immediately! My pregnant wife was physical assaulted! Please hurry!
Emma: Is she... is she gone, Marcus?
Marcus: She's gone, Emma. And she is never, ever coming back into this house. I swear it to you.
Marcus lifted Emma gently off the hard floor, carrying her over to the living room sofa and laying her down on the soft velvet cushions.
Emma: She said... she said you were going to divorce me. She said you hated me because I stopped working after the doctor ordered bed rest.
Marcus: She lied to you, Emma. I love you more than life itself. I put that money into our joint bank account for our child's future, not for her to parade around like a queen.
Emma: She took my phone earlier today, Marcus. She locked the landline so I couldn't call you.
Marcus: God, I was so blind. I thought she just had a tough personality. I had no idea she was a monster.
The sound of distant sirens echoed outside, pulling into the long driveway of the estate.
Marcus: The paramedics are here, Emma. Everything is going to be okay.
Emma: Marcus... don't leave my side at the hospital. Please.
Marcus: I won't leave you for a single second. I promise.
The front doors opened, and two paramedics rushed in carrying emergency gear.
Paramedic 1: Sir, what happened here?
Marcus: My mother attacked my six-months-pregnant wife. She fell on the marble floor and took a blow to her side. Check the baby immediately, please!
Paramedic 2: Ma'am, stay still. We're going to check the heart tones right now.
The paramedic placed a portable monitor on Emma's stomach. A quick, steady heartbeat filled the quiet room, sounding like a small, galloping horse.
Paramedic 1: Strong heartbeat, dad. That's a good sign. But we need to get her to the hospital for a full ultrasound and check for internal injuries.
Marcus: Take her to St. Jude's Private Hospital. I will follow right behind the ambulance.
Emma: Hold my hand, Marcus.
Marcus: I've got your hand, baby. I'm right here.
As the paramedics wheeled Emma out on the stretcher, Marcus noticed his mother's discarded purse on the hallway console table. He picked it up, opening it to find a heavy set of house keys and a small recording device.
Marcus: What were you planning, mother?
Marcus turned the recording device on, hitting the play button. His mother's voice echoed clearly through the small speaker.
Eleanor's Voice: Once I drive her out, Marcus will have no choice but to put the estate title in my name. The trust fund will be under my control before the baby is even born...
Marcus closed his eyes, his jaw clenching tightly as the truth washed over him like ice water.
Marcus: You didn't just hate my wife. You wanted to steal our entire life.