Tania slammed the door behind her, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Her fingers trembled with rage as she stormed through the living room, grabbing anything in her path and hurling it to the floor. Glass shattered, echoing the chaos brewing inside her.
“Why can’t Ella and her bastards just die?” she screeched, her voice wild and shrill, reverberating through the supposed empty house. “How hard is it to kill someone?!”
Her fury intensified as she knocked over a vase, sending shards scattering across the floor. The air was thick with her venomous words, her body shaking from the madness consuming her.
Suddenly, a soft gasp pierced through the noise.
Tania whipped around, her eyes narrowing as they landed on Grace, standing frozen at the top of the stairs. Her daughter’s wide eyes reflected fear, her small body trembling as she processed her mother’s words.
“Grace…” Tania hissed, her voice dripping with menace.
Grace’s heart pounded in her chest, the crazed look on her mother’s face enough to send her running. Without a word, she turned and bolted up the stairs, her little legs carrying her as fast as they could.
“Stop!” Tania screamed, her voice raw. “Come back here!”
She darted after Grace, her fury driving her forward. As she caught up with her daughter, she grabbed her arm tightly, yanking her back.
“What did you hear?!” Tania shrieked, her nails digging into Grace’s arm. “Answer me!”
Grace whimpered, her wide, tear filled eyes refusing to meet Tania’s. She struggled in her mother’s grip, desperate to break free. In her panic, she lost her footing, her small body tumbling backward.
“NO!” Tania screamed as Grace fell, her arms flailing as she rolled down the stairs.
The sound of her daughter’s body hitting each step echoed through the house.
At that exact moment, Ethan walked in through the front door. His heart stopped at the sight of Grace tumbling down the stairs, his office bag slipping from his fingers. “Grace!” he shouted, rushing forward as she hit the bottom step.
He dropped to his knees, scooping Grace’s limp, bleeding body into his arms. “Grace, baby, open your eyes. Please, open your eyes for Daddy!” His voice cracked with desperation as he gently shook her.
Tania stood frozen at the top of the stairs, her face pale and her expression blank. She stared down at her daughter, showing no remorse, no fear. Just emptiness.
Ethan looked up, his eyes filled with shock and horror. “What have you done, Tania?” he screamed, his voice raw with grief and disbelief. Without waiting for a response, he gathered Grace in his arms and rushed out the door.