The next morning, an emergency work call forced Marcus to leave early.
A structural issue required his immediate presence at a downtown construction site.
He promised Lily he would return home before the afternoon sun set.
Victoria watched his car leave from the high balcony upstairs balcony railing.
She turned around and saw Lily wearing a bright red sun dress.
The red dress was a special gift from Lily's late birth mother.
Victoria: Why are you wearing that hideous old red dress today?
Lily: My mommy bought this for me, and I love wearing it.
Victoria: Take it off right now and put on simple clothes.
Lily: No, Victoria, my daddy said I could wear it today!
Victoria grabbed Lily's wrist tightly and pulled her toward the balcony.
The balcony overlooked the grand high foyer on the second floor landing.
Below the balcony was a hard marble floor near the American flag hanging.
Lily struggled to break free from Victoria's strong and tight grip.
Lily: Let go of my hand, you are hurting my arm!
Victoria: You will listen to me in this house from now on!
Lily: I am telling my daddy as soon as he gets back!
Victoria: He will never believe a lying child over his wife!
Victoria shoved Lily roughly backward toward the edge of the low step.
Lily lost her footing on the slick wooden step near the railing.
Her foot slipped over the low edge near the wide balcony ledge.
Lily screamed in pure terror as she tilted backward into midair.
She reached out desperately to catch the wooden edge of the rail.
Victoria stepped back in shock, watching the child slip right off.
She did not reach out her hand to grab the child's dress.
Lily fell down through the high open space toward the marble floor.
Her bright red dress fluttered wildly as she screamed for help.
At that exact moment, the front mansion doors swung open wide.
Marcus had forgotten his key documents and rushed back inside the home.
He heard the terrifying scream echoing through the grand open foyer.
He looked up and saw his daughter falling toward the hard ground.
His heart stopped as pure instinct took over his entire body.