Ethan: Clara!
Ethan Vance was halfway across the marble foyer below, wearing his crisp white dress shirt and black trousers, when the agonizing scream echoed above his head. He looked up instantly, his heart stopping in his chest as he saw his pregnant wife falling through the air from the second-floor balcony.
Ethan: No!
Without a second of hesitation, Ethan sprinted across the polished stone floor at top speed. His shoes skidded against the slick marble surface as he launched himself forward, diving across the floor with his arms extended just as Clara dropped into the lower living area.
He slid across the hard tile, throwing his upper body underneath her descending figure. With a sudden impact that knocked the wind straight from his lungs, Ethan caught Clara securely in his arms inches before her head could strike the marble floor.
Clara: Oh god... Ethan! Oh god!
Ethan: I've got you! I've got you, sweetheart! Breathe... just breathe, you're safe!
Clara gasped for air, her hands clutching frantically at Ethan's white shirt as her whole body trembled with overwhelming shock and terror. She pressed her face against his chest, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.
Clara: Is the baby okay?! Ethan, please check the baby!
Ethan: Shh, don't move, Clara. You're right in my arms. You didn't hit the ground. You're completely safe.
High above on the balcony railing, Victoria and Maria stood frozen in absolute terror, their hands covering their wide-open mouths as they stared down at the living room floor. Victoria's face was completely drained of color, her fingers trembling as she gripped the brass bar.
Maria: Oh sweet Lord... he caught her! Mr. Ethan caught her in time!
Victoria: Be quiet, you fool! Act like it was an accident!
Ethan cradled Clara tightly against his chest, feeling the frantic pounding of her heartbeat against his palm. A wave of intense relief washed over his face, but as he looked down at his crying wife, his expression began to change.
The relief faded, replaced instantly by a dark, hardening fury that chilled the air in the room. Ethan slowly raised his head, his dark eyes locking sharply onto the second-floor balcony above.
Ethan: What did you just do?!
Victoria: Ethan, darling! Thank god you caught her! She tripped over her dress hem! She lost her balance near the edge!
Clara: She's lying, Ethan... She pushed me! She tried to kill us!
Ethan: I saw her hands on your shoulders, Clara. I saw everything.
Ethan's jaw clenched with burning rage as he stared up at his mother-in-law. His voice echoed like thunder across the grand marble foyer.
Ethan: Thomas! Call the police right now! Seal the front gates and don't let anyone leave this mansion!