By early afternoon, dark rain clouds began gathering across the grey sky outside the tall mansion windows.
Little Lily ran out of her bright playroom holding her favorite antique hand-painted ceramic music box.
Lily: Look, Elena, my mother gave me this music box before she went away to heaven!
Elena smiled warmly at the child and knelt down on the marble floor to look at it.
Elena: It is beautiful, Lily, but you must hold it very carefully so it does not fall.
Lily: I want to show father as soon as his heavy car drives up the long driveway!
The happy little girl skipped up the stairs toward the wide upper balcony to watch the front gates.
Victoria stepped out from the master bedroom, wearing her metallic champagne gown for the formal dinner later.
She spotted Lily standing near the top of the open staircase with the valuable antique music box.
Victoria: Get away from that railing right now, you noisy little girl!
Victoria reached out aggressively to grab the child's small arm near the edge of the high drop.
Lily startled and pulled back quickly, losing her balance near a heavy decorative stone pedestal on display.
The heavy stone pedestal wobbled violently right on the marble edge directly above the central lower foyer.
Instead of helping the frightened child balance herself, Victoria shoved the heavy stone pedestal over the edge!
Victoria: Oops, looks like an unpredictable accident just happened on the stairs!
The heavy stone pedestal fell rapidly through the air toward the lower floor where Lily was standing.
Elena saw the massive shadow falling from above and leaped across the shiny marble floor without hesitation!
Elena: I have got you! You are safe now!
Elena threw her own body over the little girl, pulling Lily tightly into her protective arms on time.
The heavy stone crashed onto the hard floor just inches away, shattering into hundreds of sharp pieces!
The loud impact echoed like thunder through the massive empty mansion, shaking the large crystal chandelier.
Lily cried out in fright, burying her tearful face deeply into the maid's soft beige uniform apron.
Elena held the trembling child close, checking her small arms and legs to ensure no injury happened.
Elena: Shh, it is alright now, my dear, you are safe in my arms.
High above on the balcony, Victoria stood staring down with her jaw open in absolute shock and horror.
She had not expected the maid to move so fast across the wide floor to save the child.