The afternoon sun grew heavy over the back lawn.
Richard stood near his office window watching the garden outside.
He remembered his lawyer's words from three years ago.
The estate was meant to protect Maya's future completely.
No one else was supposed to touch that fund.
Yet Victoria had moved into their lives so quickly.
She had met Richard at a charity dinner last year.
She had seemed soft, caring, and full of warm sympathy.
Now her pleasant mask was beginning to slip away.
Maya was sitting on the upper hallway rug playing.
Her little toy car rolled near the grand balcony edge.
The white marble banister overlooked the tall lower foyer.
It was a long drop down to the marble below.
Richard usually kept the top safety gate tightly locked.
He noticed the heavy wooden gate was wide open.
Richard: Victoria, why is the balcony gate open?
Victoria: I was moving laundry back and forth earlier.
Richard: You know Maya plays up here every afternoon.
Victoria: Stop worrying so much about every little thing.
Victoria stood near the top of the white stairs.
She looked down at her polished fingernails calmly.
Maya picked up her toy car and stood up tall.
The little girl wobbled slightly near the wooden ledge.
Victoria stepped right past the child without reaching out.
Her sudden elbow bumped the toddler's small frame.
Maya lost her balance and stumbled backward dangerously.
Her tiny shoes slipped off the edge of the step.
Maya: Daddy!
A loud scream pierced the quiet air of the house.
Richard reacted before his mind could even think.
He lunged forward across the slick marble floor instantly.
He threw his body across the floor with arms open wide.
He caught Maya by her jacket right in time.
The heavy impact knocked the breath straight out of him.
He pulled her small body tight into his arms.
His chest heaved as panic flooded his whole body.
Richard: I have got you! Daddy has you safe!
Maya sobbed hysterically against his warm grey suit jacket.
Her small hands held tightly to his lapel collars.
Richard trembled violently on the cold marble floor.
Victoria rushed down the steps with raised hands.
Her face twisted into a look of feigned terror.
Victoria: She slipped, Richard! It was an absolute accident!
Richard: You bumped right into her deliberately!
Victoria: I was trying to grab her arm to save her!
Richard: You did not even reach for her hands!
Richard stood up slowly while holding his crying daughter.
His eyes flared with cold explosive fury and truth.
He pointed a trembling finger right at Victoria's face.
Richard: Never come near my child ever again!
Victoria: You are completely out of your mind, Richard!
Richard: Get out of my face before I call police!
Victoria stumbled back against the grand wall in shock.
She clutched her dress in utter terror and disbelief.