Maya skipped happily across the polished floor toward the wide lower stair railing post.
She dropped her tiny stuffed rabbit near the bottom step by pure innocent mistake.
Victoria walked briskly past the child and picked up the soft plush toy quickly.
Victoria: Look what you dropped on the pristine white floor, little girl.
Maya: Please give my rabbit back to me, Victoria.
Victoria: You need to learn how to keep your personal belongings organized.
Victoria turned around quickly and carried the toy up toward the high upper balcony landing.
Maya followed her up the grand staircase while reaching out her small trembling hands.
Maya: Please stop, I am not supposed to go near the top railing!
Victoria: Then come up here and take it back yourself like a big girl.
Victoria held the plush toy right over the high top balcony decorative metal railing.
The height from the upper balcony down to the hard marble floor was nearly twenty feet.
Maya reached out toward the edge of the railing to grab her precious stuffed toy.
Victoria suddenly stepped forward and grabbed the little girl's light sweater firmly from behind.
She lifted the small child slightly over the edge of the polished marble balcony edge.
Maya screamed loudly in sudden absolute terror as her feet dangled high off the ground.
Maya: Daddy, please help me! I am slipping!
Victoria: Keep quiet right now or you will drop straight down!
Victoria held the child precariously over the open void above the cold hard floor below.
Her fingers deliberately began loosening their tight grip on the child's lightweight clothing sweater fabric.
Marcus heard his daughter's sharp frantic scream echo loudly from inside his private office space.
He tossed his computer onto the desk and sprinted out into the main hallway instantly.
His heart hammered violently against his chest as his eyes caught the horrifying scene above.
Victoria released her grip entirely, letting the tiny child fall through the open balcony air.
Marcus: Maya, no!
Marcus sprinted across the polished white floor with desperate explosive speed and raw fury.
He threw his body forward across the smooth marble surface with arms stretched out wide.
He caught little Maya securely against his chest just inches above the hard stone ground.
The heavy impact echoed through the vast foyer as Marcus rolled safely onto his back.
He cradled his crying daughter tightly against his chest, shielding her from any harm.