The sound of the crash echoed loudly through the high-ceilinged room. White pills from a prescription bottle spilled everywhere, rolling like tiny marbles across the dark carpet alongside the scattered pages of the will. Clara lay on her side, tears streaming down her bruised face as she tried to crawl forward. Her legs were completely useless, dragging behind her as she pushed herself up with her trembling elbows. The pain in her ribs was sharp, but her only thought was protecting Maria, who was lying dazed on the floor nearby. Clara reached out with a trembling hand, grabbing a handful of loose papers that contained the details of her father's massive life insurance policy and property deeds.
Clara: Maria... are you okay? Please tell me you are not hurt!
Maria: I am fine, my child... but look at the floor. Those are not your pain pills, Clara!
Evelyn: Mind your own business, both of you! Give me those papers right now, Clara!
Clara looked down at the floor near her hands. Among the white tablets were several small blue capsules that she had never seen before. She remembered how Evelyn always brought her fresh medicine every morning in the paper cups, claiming the doctor had changed her prescription after the car accident. Clara's stomach turned with sudden horror as she realized what had been happening to her over the last few weeks. Her mind had felt foggy, her body grew weaker each day, and every time she asked to see a doctor, Evelyn claimed the road to the mansion was blocked or the physician was out of town. The terrible truth hit her all at once like a bucket of ice water.
Clara: You were poisoning me... You were giving me these blue pills to make me lose my memory!
Evelyn: Don't be ridiculous! You are hysterical from the crash! You hit your head too hard!
Clara: No, I remember now! My father never wanted you to take over the company! He made a new will before he died!
Evelyn: Nobody cares about your father's old wishes! I control the money now!
Evelyn stepped forward, her expensive high-heeled shoes making sharp clicking sounds on the hardwood border before stomping heavily onto the soft rug. Clara crawled forward on her hands and knees, weeping in terror as she dragged her body toward Evelyn's feet. She reached out and clutched the dark blue leather of Evelyn’s shoe, looking up with big tears washing through the dirt and bruises on her cheeks. She was not begging for herself anymore; she was begging for the life of the kind old woman who had raised her after her real mother passed away years ago.
Clara: Please... don't hurt Maria! I will give you the house! I will sign whatever you want, just don't hurt her!
Evelyn: You should have thought about that before your maid put her dirty hands on my clothes!
Maria: Clara, don't give up! Don't let her win!
Evelyn raised her hand, pulling back her heavy gold watch as if preparing to strike the young girl pinned beneath her feet. Clara squeezed her eyes shut, pulling her head down and waiting for the blow to fall upon her already bruised face.