Elena stood frozen at the base of the white stairs while holding her breath.
Victoria suddenly loosened her arms near the wooden edge of the upper balcony.
The white blanket carrying baby Toby slipped through her hands into thin air.
Victoria gasped sharply but made no effort to reach out and catch the bundle.
Elena dropped her cleaning rags and sprinted forward across the slick marble floor.
She threw her body downward and slid on her knees toward the landing spot.
Her arms extended outward with every ounce of speed she possessed in her body.
The swaddled infant plummeted toward the hard stone floor below the wide balcony.
Elena caught the baby mere inches above the marble with a heavy thud.
She pulled Toby tight against her chest while gasping for cold air.
The baby began crying loudly as the blanket rustled in her trembling arms.
Elena cradled the infant's head gently while tears welled up in her eyes.
She checked his small arms and legs quickly to ensure he was completely unharmed.
Toby was breathing fine and crying loudly against her white uniform collar.
Elena looked up toward the top of the grand double staircase with horror.
Victoria was standing near the railing looking down with a blank expression.
There were no tears on Victoria's face and no sign of panic or regret.
She simply folded her arms slowly over her gold dress while watching Elena.
Elena held the baby tightly as her entire body shook from shock.
She knew in her heart that the fall was no terrible accident at all.
The heavy front double doors of the mansion suddenly slammed open with force.