Deep under the cold blue water, the impact was like hitting a solid wall. Sarah hit the water at an angle that absorbed most of the force, while her heavy pregnancy belly stayed protected by the water's natural resistance. Elena hit the water right next to her, her legs kicking instinctively as she fought her way back toward the bright surface above.
Elena broke through the surface, gasping for air and coughing out water. She looked around frantically through her blurred vision until she saw Sarah's light blue dress floating a few feet away. Sarah was unconscious, floating face down in the deep end of the pool.
Elena swam over quickly, grabbed Sarah under her arms, and pulled her face above water. She dragged Sarah toward the shallow steps of the pool, her muscles burning from exhaustion and fear. When she reached the stone steps, Elena pulled Sarah up onto the dry tiles and immediately checked for a pulse.
Elena: Sarah! Wake up! Please breathe! Wake up!
Sarah: Cough... cough... Elena?
Elena: You are alive! Oh thank God, you are alive!
Sarah: The baby... is my baby okay?
Elena: Lay still! I will call an ambulance right now!
Sarah coughed up water, pressing her hands against her stomach. Miraculously, the deep pool water had saved both of their lives, cushioning their fall from the ledge above. Sarah felt a tiny kick inside her womb, and tears of pure relief overflowed down her cheeks. They had survived the fall that was meant to kill them.
Elena pulled her phone out from her wet pocket. Though the screen was cracked and wet, the phone still worked. Instead of calling ninety-one-one, Elena dialed the direct number of Detective Marcus Vance, Daniel's estranged uncle who worked for the Dallas Police Department homicide division and hated Victoria's corrupt empire.
Elena: Detective Vance? This is Elena, the maid at the penthouse.
Marcus: Elena? What is going on? You sound terrified.
Elena: Daniel and Victoria just tried to kill Sarah! They cut the rope and pushed us off the balcony!
Marcus: Are you both safe? Where are you right now?
Elena: We are at the pool level! Please come with backup before they realize we survived!
Marcus: Stay where you are and hide in the pool house. I am five minutes away with six patrol cars.