The afternoon heat settled heavily over the suburban neighborhood in Texas.
Richard returned home earlier than usual to surprise his little daughter.
He parked his dark sedan in the long paved driveway without noise.
He entered through the front side door and walked quietly inside.
Unaware of his presence, Victoria was standing on the upper balcony.
She held Lily's small wooden memory box tightly in her thin hands.
The box contained precious letters and photos from Lily's late mother.
Lily stood near the edge of the staircase, crying tears quietly.
Lily: Please give me back my mom's special wooden memory box!
Victoria: You don't belong here, and neither does this old junk!
Lily: That belongs to me, please put it down right now!
Victoria: I am cleaning out this entire house starting today, child!
Victoria raised the box high over the white wooden balcony railing.
Lily rushed forward to save her mother's precious keepsakes from damage.
She stumbled on the slick edge of the polished wooden staircase step.
Victoria reached out roughly and grabbed Lily's small shoulder back sharply.
Victoria: Get back from me and stop making so much noise!
Lily lost her footing on the slick wooden step near the top.
She fell backward down the lower three steps onto the floor.
The small child tumbled onto the pristine white marble foyer surface.
The hard impact echoed loudly throughout the whole wide entryway space.
Richard heard the commotion and rushed into the main central foyer.
His heart stopped as he saw his small daughter on the floor.
He dropped his leather briefcase onto the shiny marble floor below.
Richard: Lily! Oh my goodness, are you okay, sweet heart?
Richard dived across the cold floor toward his helpless crying child.
He reached her in a split second and gathered her close.
He held her tiny body securely against his grey suit jacket.
Lily: Daddy! She wanted me gone from our house forever!
Richard: I have got you, baby, you are safe with me.
Lily buried her face into Richard's shoulder and sobbed uncontrollably.
Her small hands held tightly onto her father's crisp white shirt collar.
Richard checked her arms and legs carefully for any bad injuries.
Fortunately, the thick rug had absorbed most of the rough fall.
His relief instantly turned into intense and overwhelming anger toward Victoria.