Arthur: I am coming, Sarah! Do not let go, I have you!
Sarah: Daddy! Catch me, please!
Arthur: I've got you! Hold on to me with everything you have!
My father screamed out the frantic warning as he launched his body forward in a fearless, gravity-defying dive. His arms locked tightly around my waist just inches above the deadly floor, absorbing the violent momentum of our descent together. We crashed hard onto the polished marble tiles, a heavy impact sound echoing through the cavernous foyer like a thunderclap. A deep sub-bass pulse vibrated through the floorboards, matching the frantic rhythm of my own pounding heart as we slid to a halt. I buried my face in his gray suit jacket, my body shaking violently from the sheer shock of the near-death experience. The massive family portrait hanging on the wall stared down at us like a silent witness to a crime born out of pure greed. My breath came in ragged gasps as my father checked every inch of my body to see if I was injured. Will our unborn child survive the violent shock of this horrific fall, or has my husband's unforgivable hatred just destroyed our future?
Arthur: Look at me, sweetheart. Are you okay? Tell me where it hurts!
Sarah: My stomach... Oh god, Daddy, the baby feels so strange! It hurts so bad!
Arthur: Stay still, do not move an inch. I am right here with you, nothing bad is going to happen.
He gasped for breath, holding me fiercely against his chest while scanning my pale face for any sign of trauma. I could barely form words, my chest heaving as silent tears carved tracks through the dust on my cheeks. High above us on the upper balcony, Caleb clutched the wooden railing with trembling hands, staring down in absolute horror as his plot failed. His face drained of all color as he realized his murderous push had not ended in the tragedy he planned. The absolute shock in his eyes was quickly replaced by a fleeting, cowardly panic as he looked at what he had done. My blood ran ice-cold as I watched him process the reality that we had somehow survived his deadly trap. Can he actually believe he will get away with attempted murder inside our own home?
Caleb: No... Impossible! How did you catch her in time?!
Arthur: You absolute monster! You tried to murder your own wife and unborn child!
Caleb: It was an accident! She tripped while arguing with me near the ledge!
Arthur: Don't you dare lie to me! I heard every single word you said before you shoved her!
Caleb stammered from the upper ledge, his voice cracking with nervous horror as he leaned too far over the drop. I pressed my hands against my swollen stomach, sobbing uncontrollably as the emotional shock finally broke through my defenses. Tears streamed down my face in an unstoppable flood, my fingers clutching my clothes in agonizing distress. The terror of the near-death experience weighed heavily on my fragile frame, threatening the safety of our baby. Every breath I took sounded fragile and shallow, breaking my father's heart into a million jagged pieces. He stroked my hair with a shaking hand, trying desperately to anchor me back to safety while pure venom boiled inside his veins. Will the doctors tell us our baby is safe once we get to the hospital, or has the trauma already done its worst?