Marcus knelt back down next to Clara, brushing her damp hair away from her forehead. He took out his cell phone with a steady hand and immediately dialed for an ambulance, keeping his voice quiet so he wouldn't panic his sister further. He gave the dispatcher their address and reported a fall involving a pregnant woman. While he spoke on the phone, Vanessa paced back and forth across the marble room, her heels clicking like a ticking clock against the stone.
Vanessa: Call our private doctor instead! We don't need sirens coming into the neighborhood, Marcus. Think about the family reputation!
Marcus: My sister is bleeding and in pain, Vanessa. The reputation doesn't mean anything to me right now.
He placed a soft throw blanket from the nearby sofa over Clara to keep her warm. Clara's breathing was slowly stabilizing, but her hand stayed tightly locked inside his. Every few seconds, she glanced up at Vanessa with clear fear in her eyes. Marcus noticed that look. It wasn't the look someone gave after an accidental trip; it was the look of someone who had been intentionally targeted.
Vanessa: Why are you staring at me like I'm a monster? I came out here to offer her some water!
Marcus: You two were alone in this hallway for ten minutes before I came out. What were you talking about?
Vanessa hesitated for a quick second, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her red dress. She looked away toward the large front door before turning back to meet Marcus's gaze. Her tone shifted from defensive anger to a smooth, sweet pleading.
Vanessa: We were just talking about the baby shower next month. Then she suddenly lost her balance. I tried to grab her arm, but she slipped right out of my reach. You have to believe me, honey.
Marcus didn't answer right away. He looked up toward the grand balcony that circled the second floor of the foyer. His eyes traveled up the high arched white walls, tracing the crown molding until his gaze settled on a tiny detail near the high ceiling. Right underneath the center arch of the upper balcony sat a sleek, dark glass dome. It was the high-definition security camera he had installed just two months ago after a series of neighborhood break-ins.
A sudden, sharp silence fell over the hallway as Marcus tilted his head further back, looking directly at the small red light blinking rhythmically on the camera housing. The camera had a complete, unobstructed wide-angle view of the entire staircase and the lower marble floor.
Marcus: I don't have to guess what happened, Vanessa. We don't have to fight about who is telling the truth.
Vanessa followed his gaze up to the ceiling. The moment her eyes landed on the black dome camera, the color completely drained from her face. Her lips parted slightly, and she stopped pacing immediately. The confident demeanor she had worn just seconds ago dissolved into pure, unadulterated panic.
Marcus: Let's see what the camera says, Vanessa.
Vanessa's chest heaved as she took a deep, trembling breath. Her hands dropped to her sides, shaking visibly. She looked from the camera back to Marcus, her eyes filling with instant tears, but they were not tears of sadness for Clara. They were the cold, terrified tears of someone who had just realized their biggest lie was about to be laid bare on screen.