Evelyn retreated two quick steps, holding baby Chloe tightly in her arms. The crowd of wealthy guests gasped in horror, many covering their mouths with their hands as they watched the tense confrontation unfold in the middle of the bright ballroom. The air felt thick with tension as David held his hands out defensively, stepping carefully so he wouldn't startle the erratic woman.
David: Evelyn, give her back to me right now. Don't do something you will regret for the rest of your life.
Evelyn: You ruined everything I worked for! If I am cut out of the estate, you won't enjoy a single cent either!
David: This is insane! She is just a helpless baby!
Without another word of warning, Evelyn lifted the swaddled newborn high above her head into the bright daylight. Her eyes widened with pure malice as she threw her arms forward with incredible force. The swaddled baby flew high into the air, soaring toward the hard marble floor several yards away under the soaring vaulted ceiling. Shocked screams echoed off the high white walls as guests scrambled backward in terror.
David did not hesitate for a single microsecond. The moment the baby left Evelyn's hands, his instincts took complete control of his body. He launched himself across the polished floor, sprinting at top speed and diving forward into a hard slide. His fine grey suit scraped against the cold stone surface as he stretched his arms out as far as they could possibly reach. Time seemed to slow down into a agonizing crawl as the baby plummeted toward the unforgiving marble ground.
With a desperate gasp, David scooped his arms under the falling blanket just inches before impact. He cradled the soft bundle tightly against his chest, rolling over onto his side to absorb the momentum of his heavy slide. The sudden thud of his body hitting the floor echoed loudly through the silent hall, followed immediately by a delicate baby whimper. David lay on the floor for a long second, his heart hammering wildly against his ribs as he pulled the blanket close to his face.
David: I've got you, sweetheart... daddy's got you.
He checked her tiny arms and legs with trembling fingers, breathing a massive sigh of relief when he saw that she was completely unharmed. The newborn nestled safely against his chest, soothed by his familiar voice. But as David looked up from his precious daughter, the soft relief in his eyes hardened into pure, blinding fury. He looked across the floor at Evelyn, who remained standing calmly in the center of the crowd as if she had done nothing wrong. The full reality of her cruel crime washed over him, destroying any remaining trace of family loyalty or patience he had left.