Brenda walked slowly toward the grand marble staircase that led to the upper floor balcony.
The balcony overlooked the grand lower foyer with its polished stone floor far below.
A giant American flag hung proudly along the tall interior wall near the high ceiling.
Brenda called out to Lily in a sharp tone from the top of the stair railing.
Brenda: Bring your toys upstairs right now, little girl.
Lily: My nanny told me to stay on the main floor.
Brenda: I am in charge until your nanny gets here, so move.
Lily picked up her favorite handmade teddy bear and walked slowly up the wide steps.
The small child felt uncomfortable around her aunt's sharp tone and angry eyes.
Brenda stood near the white marble railing on the second floor balcony watching the child approach.
She grabbed the teddy bear directly out of Lily's hands with a sudden jerky movement.
Lily: Please give my bear back, Aunt Brenda!
Brenda: You are far too spoiled in this huge expensive house.
Lily: My mom gave me that bear before she died!
Brenda: Well, your father cares more about his money than anything else.
Brenda held the precious teddy bear right over the open balcony railing near the edge.
Lily gasped and reached out her tiny hands in complete terror and panic.
The drop to the polished marble floor below was steep and very dangerous for any fall.
Brenda leaned over the railing aggressively, forcing Lily back toward the top of the stairs.
The young girl lost her balance near the edge of the high wooden step and screamed loudly.
Lily: Help me! Daddy, help me!
At that exact second, the heavy front doors downstairs swung open with a loud thud.
Arthur had forgotten his confidential file folder and had returned to the house unexpectedly fast.
He walked into the grand foyer just as the terrifying scream echoed through the high ceiling.
Arthur looked up and saw his young daughter slipping near the edge of the high balcony staircase.
Brenda was towering over the child with an aggressive posture near the high marble railing.
Arthur dropped his briefcase onto the floor without a second thought for his belongings.
His heart plummeted into his stomach as he saw Lily lose her footing completely on the top step.
The young girl tumbled down the first few carpeted stairs toward the landing area in fear.
Arthur sprinted across the polished marble floor with speed he did not know he possessed.
He slid across the slick marble floor with outstretched arms near the bottom of the landing.
He caught his daughter safely into his strong arms right as she hit the middle landing floor.
The impact knocked the breath out of Arthur's lungs, but he held his child tight.
Lily whimpered softly against his dark grey suit jacket, trembling uncontrollably in pure terror.
Lily: Daddy, I was so scared! She grabbed my bear!
Arthur: I have you, baby. You are safe with me now.