Victoria stood on the polished marble balcony, holding the screaming baby over the wooden edge of the display cradle.
Her hands were tense, and her emerald dress shimmered under the bright sunlight streaming through the tall stained glass.
Victoria: Cry all you want, little boy, because nobody is coming to help you today.
She leaned over the railing, whispering harsh words that made Clara's blood run cold from down the hall.
Clara stepped out into the open upper hallway, keeping her voice as steady and calm as possible.
Clara: Ma'am, please step away from the railing and let me hold the baby for you.
Victoria turned around slowly, her lips curling into a sharp and cruel smile.
Victoria: Mind your own business, Clara, before you find yourself out on the street without a job.
Clara: I am only thinking about the baby's safety right now, ma'am.
Victoria: This child is nothing but an obstacle in my way, and you know it.
Clara took a small step forward, keeping her hands open in a non-threatening gesture of peace.
Clara: Please, just hand him to me and we can talk about this calmly.
Victoria: You have no power in this house, you simple little maid.
The baby gasped for air, crying harder as Victoria lifted him higher near the open drop.
Clara felt her heart beating wildly inside her chest as she measured the short distance between them.
She knew she only had a few seconds to react if Victoria made a sudden, careless movement.
Victoria: Let us see if your precious little heir can survive a sudden fall from grace.
Clara: No, stop right there!
Victoria suddenly loosened her grip, letting the heavy swaddled blanket slip past the edge of the low marble ledge.
The baby tumbled downward through the open air toward the lower steps of the central staircase.
Clara threw herself forward without a single second of hesitation or fear for her own safety.
She scrambled down the first few stone steps, reaching out her arms as far as she could.
The wind rushed past her ears as the infant slid down toward the sharp marble landing.
With a desperate slide across the floor, Clara dropped to her knees right on the middle landing.
She caught the swaddled baby firmly against her chest, wrapping her arms around him in a tight shield.
Her knees slammed hard against the cold marble, sending a shock of pain through her legs.
She held the baby close, listening intently for his soft, gasping breaths against her shoulder.
Clara: I've got you, my sweet little angel, you are safe now.