Martha: David, stop! What are you doing?!
David: How does it feel, Martha? How does it feel to look down at that marble floor and know there's nothing beneath you?
Martha: You wouldn't... you're a gentleman! You're a corporate executive! You won't throw me!
David: I am a father protecting my family[cite: 1]. And you are a ruthless criminal who just tried to murder my unborn child[cite: 1].
Chloe: David! No! Don't ruin your life over her!
Chloe's voice echoed up from the lobby below[cite: 1]. She was standing near the sofa, holding her stomach, her eyes wide with terror as she watched us on the ledge[cite: 1]. Martha saw her and let out a harsh, wicked laugh.
Martha: Listen to your wife, David! If you drop me, you'll go to prison for life! The whole estate will go to your stepmother anyway!
David: You think I care about the money right now?
Martha: Put me down! I'll tell you everything! I'll tell you who hired me!
David: I already know who hired you. And both of you are going down.
Driven by a sudden wave of raw anger, I shoved Martha backward over the balcony rail[cite: 1]. She shrieked as her balance broke, her hands wildly grabbing at the empty air before she tumbled backward onto the marble floor below[cite: 1].
Martha: AAAAAHHH!
A loud thud echoed through the grand foyer as she hit the floor near the center table[cite: 1]. The wooden rod slipped from my fingers, clattering against the marble steps as I turned and raced back down the staircase toward Chloe[cite: 1].
David: Chloe! Are you okay?!
Chloe: David! Oh my god, David!
I reached the bottom floor in four quick bounds and wrapped my arms around Chloe, pulling her tight against my chest[cite: 1]. She buried her face in my shoulder, her body shaking with intense sobs as we both breathed heavily in pure relief[cite: 1]. I held her close, feeling the warmth of her skin and the gentle swell of her baby bump against my ribs[cite: 1].
David: Look at me, Chloe[cite: 1]. Look at my eyes[cite: 1]. Are you hurt anywhere? Did you hit your head?
Chloe: No... no, you caught me mid-air, David[cite: 1]. You took the whole fall for me[cite: 1]. Your arms saved us.
David: Thank God... thank God.
Across the room, Martha was groaning loudly on the marble floor, clutching her shoulder and her leg[cite: 1]. She hadn't fallen from as high as Chloe would have, but the impact had knocked the wind out of her and bruised her heavily[cite: 1]. She couldn't stand up.
Martha: My leg... my hip is broken! You crazy maniac!
David: Stay down, Martha. If you move an inch, I'll make sure you regret it.
Chloe: David, call the police right now! Call an ambulance!
David: I'm calling them right now, sweetheart. Grab your phone from the counter.
I reached into my pocket, pulled out my phone, and dialed 911 on speakerphone[cite: 1]. The line rang twice before an operator answered.
Operator: 911, what is your emergency?
David: I need police and medical units at 4400 Royal Lane immediately! My housekeeper just attempted to murder my pregnant wife by throwing her over a second-story balcony!