Wind rushed past Hannah's ears as she plunged downward.
The sunlit atrium felt like an endless white drop.
White pearls rained down through the bright air beside her.
She looked up and saw Margarethe staring down without emotion.
Hannah closed her eyes and prepared for the hard floor.
Suddenly a shadow moved across the bright marble floor below.
Mark sprinted into the main hall like a streak of thunder.
He wore his black leather jacket and focused on her position.
Mark: Hannah!
He leaped across the polished floor with powerful force.
His boots hit the smooth stone with a loud impact.
He reached out both arms far into the air.
Hannah felt strong arms wrap around her waist securely.
The sudden stop pulled them both downward toward the ground.
Mark absorbed the energy of the fall expertly.
They landed safely together in a low dramatic dip.
Pearls bounced around them on the polished marble surface.
The loud clicking sound echoed throughout the whole room.
Hannah clung tightly to the collar of his jacket.
Her tears soaked into the black leather instantly.
Hannah: Mark! Oh God, Mark!
Mark: I have you. Breathe, Hannah, breathe.
Hannah: I thought I was going to die.
Mark: You are safe in my arms now.
He cradled her head tenderly against his broad chest.
His heart was beating rapidly against her cheek.
Hannah shook hysterically as the reality hit her.
Hannah: She cut my necklace! She tried to kill me!
Mark: Shh, do not look back down.
Mark looked up slowly toward the high second-floor balcony.
His face transformed into intense and terrifying rage.
Margarethe stood at the top looking back down calmly.
Mark: You will rot in prison for this!
Margarethe: It was an unfortunate accident, my dear son.
Mark: Do not call me your son!
Margarethe: She tripped over her own dress.
Hannah: That is a lie! She pushed me!
Mark stood up while holding Hannah close to his side.
He pointed a firm finger toward his stepmother above.
Mark: The security cameras in this atrium record everything.
Margarethe's face turned pale for the very first time.