The icy water splashed over the rim of the gold basin, soaking into the knees of my beige dress. I adjusted my position on the cold marble floor, resting my hands over my heavy nine-month pregnant belly. My knees were bruised, my back was aching, and my mother-in-law, Evelyn, stood directly over me with a stern expression on her face.
Evelyn: Keep scrubbing, Clara. My mother's gold basin needs to shine before the dinner guests arrive.
Clara: Evelyn, please... my back is hurting so bad today. The doctor said I shouldn't be kneeling like this.
Evelyn: The doctor doesn't run this estate. I do. If you spill a single drop on this marble, you won't like what happens next.
Clara: I'm trying, I really am. I just need to sit down for a minute.
Evelyn: You'll sit down when the work is finished. My son made a mistake marrying a penniless girl, but you will earn your keep in this house.
A sudden, agonizing cramp sliced through my lower abdomen, making me drop the scrubbing cloth into the water.
Clara: Ah! Oh God!
I gasped for air, clutching my stomach as a sharp, blinding wave of pain hit me. The cold floor seemed to tilt beneath my knees.
Evelyn: Stop being dramatic, Clara. It's just Braxton Hicks.
Clara: No... it's not! Something is wrong!
Heavy footsteps echoed down the grand hallway, fast and frantic. My husband, Daniel, burst into the foyer, his eyes widening in pure horror as he saw me curled up on the cold floor.
Clara: Daniel! The baby hurts! Help me!
Daniel: Clara! What is going on here?!
Daniel sprinted toward the gold basin, his leather dress shoes skidding against the slick marble surface. He glared up at his mother with an angry, protective fire in his eyes.
Daniel: Get away from my wife!
He dropped to his knees, pulling my shaking body into his arms. As he lifted me slightly, his eyes locked onto a large, dark wet stain spreading rapidly across the front of my dress. He looked back into my eyes with a mix of shock and deep concern.
Daniel: How long has this been happening?
Clara: I didn't want you caught between us... but the contractions started an hour ago.
Daniel turned toward Evelyn, his voice shaking with absolute rage as the horrifying truth of his mother's cruelty finally hit him in full force.