For one terrifying moment, she lost her balance.
Instinctively, she grabbed the railing with both hands.
The strong wooden rail stopped her from falling.
She stood there shaking, trying to catch her breath.
"My baby..." she whispered, placing a protective hand over her stomach.
Across the hallway, Linda watched silently.
A faint smile crossed her face before she quickly hid her expression.
Just then, the front door opened.
David hurried inside after hearing Emma gasp.
He immediately saw his wife standing on the staircase, frightened and trembling.
"Emma!" he shouted as he rushed toward her.
He carefully helped her onto stable ground.
"Are you okay?"
Emma nodded slowly.
"I almost slipped. I don't know what happened."
David looked down.
The stairs looked strangely shiny.
He gently touched one step.
His fingers came away covered with oil.
His expression immediately changed.
"Who spilled this?" he asked.
Before Emma could answer, Linda quickly stepped forward.
"It was just an accident," she said. "Maybe someone dropped something earlier."
David looked at his mother.
Something about her answer didn't feel right.
Instead of arguing, he quietly reached into his pocket.