David stepped out of his black luxury car and walked toward the front steps of his grand house.
The afternoon sun was shining brightly across the high marble porch.
He carried a red gift box wrapped in silver ribbon for his little daughter Maya.
Today was her third birthday, and he was excited to see her happy face.
David worked hard as a success full real estate manager in the big city.
He built this large house so his young family could live in complete comfort.
He smiled as he reached for the grand glass front doors of the entryway.
Suddenly, a loud and terrible scream rang out from the top balcony above the entrance.
David dropped his gift box onto the clean stone ground without thinking.
He looked up quickly and saw a bright blue dress fluttering in the warm wind.
His heart stopped as a small body tumbled down from the upper floor railing.
Little Maya fell through the open air toward the hard stone steps below.
David shouted her name with all the strength in his lungs.
He pushed open the heavy glass doors and ran forward as fast as he could.
A heavy thud echoed across the shiny white marble foyer inside the house.
Then everything became completely quiet for a long and painful moment.
David dropped to his knees right beside his tiny, still daughter.
Her small pink dress was dirty, and her eyes were squeezed shut tightly.
Tears rolled down David's face as he gently lifted her tiny hand.
David: Maya, please wake up and look at daddy.
He pulled her small body into his arms and held her very close.
He felt her warm breath against his neck, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
She was still alive, but she was hurt very badly and needed help fast.
A sharp sound of footsteps made David look up toward the grand indoor staircase.
His stepmother Evelyn was walking down the steps in her expensive blue dress.
Her hands were trembling, and she had fake tears in her eyes.
Evelyn: Oh David, it was such a tragic accident!
David: What did you do to my daughter?
Evelyn: I tried to reach for her, but she slipped right through the bars!
David looked closely at Evelyn's eyes and saw no real sadness inside them.
He remembered seeing her standing close to the edge just a few seconds ago.
A strong surge of anger filled his heart as he stood up with Maya in his arms.