Victoria stepped onto the sunlit balcony, hoping the open space would calm her rising anxiety.
The glass railing extended high along the ledge, overlooking the vast grand foyer two floors below.
Vanessa followed her closely, her red dress rustling against the pristine marble ground with every step.
Victoria: We don't need to fight today of all days, Vanessa.
Vanessa: You think a party fixes years of being pushed into the background?
Victoria: Grandfather made his decision based on what was best for the family foundation.
Vanessa: He chose you because you always played the innocent, perfect granddaughter!
Victoria turned around to face her sister, noticing the intense fury flashing in Vanessa's eyes.
She placed a protective hand over her stomach, backing up slightly toward the reinforced glass railing.
Victoria: Please, lower your voice, the guests downstairs will hear us.
Vanessa: Let them hear, I am tired of keeping quiet about your greed!
Victoria: I offered to share the board seats with you last month!
Vanessa: I don't want your handouts, Victoria, I wanted what was rightfully mine!
Vanessa took two fast steps forward, completely closing the small gap between them on the balcony.
Victoria felt the cold edge of the railing against her lower back and gasped nervously.
Victoria: Stay back, Vanessa, you are making me uncomfortable.
Vanessa: You took my life, so why should you keep yours?
With a sudden wave of irrational anger, Vanessa shoved her hands forcefully against Victoria's shoulders.
Victoria lost her balance instantly, her feet slipping on the slick marble finish near the edge.
A loud scream echoed through the vaulted ceilings of the mansion as she tipped over the railing.
Victoria: Julian!
Down in the foyer, Julian heard the sharp scream break through the background classical music instantly.
He looked up into the open air space just in time to see his wife falling backward.
Panic surged through his veins with extreme force as his instincts took over completely.
Julian: Victoria!
He sprinted across the polished floor with incredible speed, ignoring the shocked gasps of surrounding guests.
Every second felt stretched into eternity as he calculated the distance across the grand room.
He knew he had only a fraction of a second to prevent an absolute catastrophe.