Clara sprinted across the bright white marble foyer as fast as her legs could carry her.
Her rubber soles squeaked against the slick tile floor.
She looked up and saw Lily dangling over the edge of the balcony.
Evelyn had lost her grip or intentionally let go of the trembling child.
Lily fell toward the upper landing step before sliding down toward the drop.
Clara threw herself forward without thinking about her own safety.
She slid across the hard marble floor with her arms extended outward.
Lily dropped straight into Clara's waiting arms.
The impact knocked the air clean out of Clara's lungs.
Both of them slid several feet across the smooth white stone.
Clara wrapped her body tightly around the child to absorb the hard fall.
A sharp pain shot through Clara's ribs as they came to a sudden stop.
She held Lily close to her chest and gasped for air.
Clara: I have got you, sweetheart, you are safe now.
Lily buried her small face into Clara's maid uniform and sobbed uncontrollably.
Clara rested her chin on the girl's head while checking her for any broken bones.
Lily was trembling violently but she was completely unhurt.
Clara's own forehead was bruised from hitting the corner of a step during the slide.
She did not care about her own pain as long as the child was breathing.
Evelyn stood at the top of the stairs in absolute shock.
She had not expected the housemaid to move with such incredible speed.
Evelyn quickly composed her face and smoothed down her dark red dress.
She realized the gravity of what had just occurred in the house.
If David found out, her comfortable lifestyle as the master's wife would end instantly.
She needed to turn the narrative around before anyone else arrived.
Evelyn started walking down the grand staircase with a furious look on her face.
Evelyn: Look at what you have done, you clumsy girl!
Clara looked up from the floor with tears in her bruised eyes.
Clara: You pushed her, you almost destroyed this sweet child!
Evelyn: Keep your mouth shut if you want to keep your job in this city!
Clara pulled Lily even closer and stood up slowly against the wall.
Suddenly, the heavy double front doors swung open with a loud slam.
David Sterling walked into the foyer carrying a leather briefcase.
He had forgotten an important folder for his business meeting and came back early.
He stopped dead in his tracks as he saw the scene in front of him.
His young daughter was crying, the maid was bruised on the floor, and his wife was marching down the stairs.
David: What on earth is happening in my home right now?
Evelyn immediately let out a dramatic sob and pointed an accusatory finger at Clara.