Chloe: [Screams in terror]
The little girl flailed her arms wildy in the empty air as the ground rushed up to meet her.
Victoria stood at the railing above, watching her fall with a cold, merciless stare.
Victoria: Now the entire inheritance is mine.
Down below, the heavy wooden front doors suddenly slammed open. David had forgotten his sign-off documents for the family trust on the front table.
David: Chloe!
David looked up just in time to see his small daughter falling through the middle of the high entry foyer.
Chloe: Daddy! Help me!
David dropped his briefcase instantly, his dark grey suit blurring as he bolted across the slick floor.
David: I've got you!
He threw his whole body forward, sliding hard across the polished marble floor with his arms stretched out as wide as they could reach.
A heavy, air-crushing impact hit his chest as he caught Chloe just inches above the solid stone floor.
David: Ugh!
The impact knocked the wind out of him, sending him sliding another ten feet across the slick foyer until he crashed into the base of the main staircase.
David: I got you... I got you, baby...
Chloe pulled herself tight into his chest, her arms wrapping around his neck like a vise.
Chloe: Daddy, I was so scared!
David: Shh, it's okay. Daddy's here. Are you hurt? Tell me if you're hurt!
Chloe: My arm hurts, but I caught you... she pushed me, Daddy! She pushed me!
David held her tightly, feeling her whole small body shaking against his suit jacket.
David: She pushed you?
Chloe: She said I didn't belong here and then she shoved me over the fence!
David gently set Chloe down on the soft plush rug at the bottom of the stairs.
David: Stay right here, Chloe. Do not move.
Chloe: Daddy, don't leave me!
David: I am not leaving you. I am ending this right now.
David stood up slowly, turning his head toward the top of the grand staircase.
Up on the balcony, Victoria was staring down, her eyes wide with shock as she realized David had returned.
Victoria: David... I... I can explain—
David: You don't get to explain anything.
His face twisted into an expression of pure, explosive rage as he took his first step up the stairs.
Victoria: David, wait! It was an accident! She slipped!
David: Shut your mouth!
David charged up the marble steps, taking three at a time with heavy, thunderous strides.
Victoria: Stay away from me! David, listen to me!
David reached the top landing, his tall frame looming over her under the shadow of the large American flag hanging behind them.
David: You tried to kill my daughter!
Victoria: She's a liar! She jumped!
Before she could finish her sentence, David raised his hand and delivered a hard, sharp slap straight across her face.
The violent sound of the blow echoed through the vast marble foyer.
Victoria: Ah!
Without pausing a second, David snapped his hand back and struck her again across her other cheek, followed by a third sharp slap that sent her flying sideways.
Victoria: Stop! Please!
Victoria stumbled backward, hitting the floor hard and clutching her bright red cheeks in absolute horror.
David: Don't you ever dare touch my child again! Get out of my house!