Clara dropped her cleaning towel directly onto the white tile floor below.
Her heart pounded like a loud drum against her trembling chest wall.
She saw Victoria slowly pull her hands away from the frightened child.
Lily leaned forward over the wooden balcony railing with a loud cry.
Lily: Mommy, help me!
Victoria: Oops, looks like you slipped all by your foolish self.
Victoria did not reach out her hand to pull the baby back.
She stepped back with a cold smile resting on her painted lips.
Clara did not hesitate for even a single second of precious time.
She sprinted across the wide expanse of the white marble entrance foyer.
Her rubber shoes gripped the polished floor as she ran with speed.
Lily lost her weak balance and tipped over the upper balcony bar.
The tiny girl fell toward the hard marble floor deep down below.
Clara dove forward with her arms stretched out as far as possible.
She caught the toddler in her arms right before hitting the floor.
They hit the ground together with a heavy and dull sliding sound.
Clara wrapped her whole body around Lily to protect her small head.
The air rushed out of Clara's lungs as her shoulder hit hard.
Lily sobbed loudly against Clara's dark uniform fabric in deep terror.
Clara: You are safe now, my sweet girl, I have got you!
Clara rocked the child back and forth on the cold bright floor.
Tears of relief poured down the young housekeeper's pale freckled cheeks.
She held the crying toddler tight against her heart with absolute warmth.
Victoria slowly walked down the grand curved marble staircase with tall heels.
Her loud high heels clicked loudly against the polished white steps below.
She did not look worried or upset about the terrible close call.
Instead, her face was twisted into a furious mask of intense rage.
Victoria: Why did you catch her, you nosey little scrub girl?
Clara: How could you let this innocent baby slip like that, ma'am?
Victoria: It was not an accident at all, you foolish maid woman!
Clara gasped in shock at the horrible confession from the cruel stepmother.