Evelyn snatched the small silver locket right out of Maya's small trembling fingers with great force.
Maya reached out toward the wooden balcony rail in deep panic as the locket slipped away.
The heavy glass heirloom ornament sitting near the balcony railing was knocked loose during the sudden movement.
Maya lost her balance on the slippery wooden step near the high edge of the open floor.
She cried out in absolute terror as her feet slid off the smooth top edge of the staircase.
Evelyn did not reach out her hand to pull the scared child back to safety on time.
Instead, Evelyn took a step backward while holding the silver locket tightly in her right hand.
Maya tumbled downward toward the hard marble floor of the grand lower foyer in a flash.
Richard reacted instantly without thinking twice as he heard his daughter's sharp screaming voice.
He sprinted across the polished white floor with lightning speed as the child fell through the air.
His polished leather shoes slid wildly across the marble surface in a desperate bid to reach her.
He threw his body forward across the slick floor just as Maya neared the hard lower surface.
Richard caught Maya securely in his strong arms just inches before she struck the cold marble floor.
The heavy sound of Richard sliding across the marble echoed loudly off the massive white walls.
He held the shaking little girl tightly against his chest while catching his desperate gasping breath.
Maya buried her wet face into his shoulder while sobbing hysterically from the terrifying shock.
Richard: Maya! I've got you! You're safe now!
Maya: Daddy! She pushed my locket over the side!
Richard: Shh... I am right here with you, sweet child.
Maya: I thought I was going to fall all the way down!
Richard: Nobody is ever going to scare you again inside this house.
Richard kept his knees pressed firmly on the cold stone while wrapping his arms around Maya.
He looked up slowly toward the upper floor balcony with intense anger filling his chest.
Evelyn was standing near the top of the white staircase with a looks of sheer panic.
She quickly realized that Richard had seen every single thing that just took place above.
She adjusted her brown gown with frantic hands and began hurrying down the wide white steps.
Her sharp high heels made a loud clicking sound on every single stair as she ran down.
Evelyn: It was an accident, Richard!
Evelyn: She slipped from my hands when I tried to help her!
Richard: Do not take another single step toward my child!
Evelyn: You have to believe me, Richard, I was saving her!
Richard slowly stood up from the hard floor while keeping Maya safely behind his back.
His face twisted into an expression of absolute rage as he stared directly into Evelyn's eyes.