Sarah: She threw him down the stairs!
Sarah: I saw her push the stroller right over the edge!
Julian turned his head rapidly, looking up to the balcony above the grand foyer.
Victoria was standing near the banister, clutching her velvet dress with trembling hands.
Her face was completely white, but her dark eyes were cold as she shouted down.
Victoria: Don't listen to her!
Victoria: It was an accident!
Victoria: The wheel got caught on the carpet and slipped out of my hand!
Julian: How could you be so careless near the stairs?!
Julian: He is just a baby!
Victoria: I was trying to adjust his blanket!
Victoria: You know how slippery these marble steps are, Julian!
Julian gently took little Leo from Sarah's arms and checked his head for any injuries.
The baby was shaking, but miraculously, the thick stroller blankets had cushioned the fall.
Julian felt a powerful mix of relief and intense anger wash over his whole body.
He looked back up at his new wife with eyes full of deep disappointment and fury.
He realized that Victoria had never once shown genuine love toward his innocent young child.
The tension in the grand hallway was so thick that nobody dared to make a sound.