Mark stood up from his leather chair to grab a cup of hot coffee.
He walked toward the office door that opened into the grand entryway.
Suddenly a terrified gasp rang out from the second floor balcony ledge.
Mark looked up immediately and his heart stopped completely in his chest.
Lily was sitting dangerously high on the white wooden railing ledge.
Her small pink floral dress was bunched up around her knees.
Evelyn was kneeling right beside her with her hands near the child.
Lily was gasping for air in pure terror as she looked down.
Mark: Lily! Stay completely still!
Evelyn: She climbed up on her own, Mark!
Lily: Daddy, help me! I am scared!
Mark ran out into the center of the hardwood foyer floor.
Before he could reach the stairs, Lily lost her balance on the smooth wood.
Her small shoes slipped right off the polished railing edge.
She fell through the empty air toward the hard floor far below.
A high pitched scream echoed off the high ceiling of the mansion.
Mark did not hesitate for a single fraction of a second.
He dove across the hard oak floor on his bare knees.
He slid fast across the smooth surface with both arms outstretched.
He caught the falling girl tightly in his arms just inches above the ground.
The impact knocked the heavy breath straight out of his lungs.
Mark: I got you! I got you, baby!
Lily: Daddy!
Mark pulled his sobbing daughter close against his dark navy suit jacket.
Tears of instant relief poured down his own cheeks as he held her tight.
Lily clutched his jacket tightly while crying loudly against his chest.
Mark: You are safe now, sweetheart. Daddy is here.
He cradled the back of her head with his trembling hand.
He could feel her little heart pounding like a trapped bird.
He slowly stood up while keeping Lily firmly wrapped in his arms.
He turned back toward the grand staircase with rage filling his chest.
Evelyn stood frozen at the very top of the marble stairs.
Her hand was pressed against her cheek in total shock.
She looked down at them without moving a single muscle.
Mark stared up at her with pure fury in his eyes.
Mark: Get out of my home right now!
Evelyn: Mark, you don't understand what just happened!
Mark: Don't ever come near her again!
He stepped backward toward the heavy front entrance doors of the home.
He pushed the front door open and rushed out into the daylight.
He left Evelyn standing completely alone on the upper landing.