Why My Wealthy Father Jumped Off That Mansion Balcony Today

Evelyn knelt down next to us on the concrete and wrapped the towel gently around Maya's trembling shoulders. But something about her posture felt completely wrong to me. She was not crying, and her hands were steady as a rock. A person who almost saw their stepdaughter drop off a balcony should be shaking with emotion.

Evelyn: Thank goodness she is alright. What a tragic accident this was.

Leo: It was not an accident, Dad.

Dad looked up at me, wiping water and wet hair away from his eyes. His eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

Richard: What do you mean, Leo? Did she trip over something?

Leo: The safety latch on the balcony gate was open. Dad, you locked it yourself yesterday afternoon because of the wind storm.

Richard: I did lock it. I put the heavy steel padlock on the latch myself.

Leo: The padlock was sitting on the glass table near the balcony doors. And Evelyn was standing right there when Maya ran outside.

Evelyn's face turned completely red for a moment before turning ghostly pale. She pulled her hands back from the towel quickly, stepping away from Maya.

Evelyn: Are you blaming me, you silly boy? I was inside making tea!

Leo: You were standing right next to the open gate when Maya fell! You did not even move your arms to catch her!

Evelyn: I was in shock! I panicked! How dare an ungrateful child accuse me of such a terrible thing!

Richard: Evelyn, calm down right now. Why was the padlock removed from the latch?

Evelyn: I... I opened it earlier to let the fresh air into the upper hallway. I forgot to lock it back up!

Dad stood up slowly from the pool deck, his wet clothes heavy with water. His eyes locked onto Evelyn with a look I had never seen on his face before. It was a cold, sharp look of pure realization. He remembered the conversations about his life insurance, the discussions about the mansion title, and her anger over the trust fund documents earlier that morning.

Richard: You opened a child-proof safety latch on a second-story balcony while the kids were upstairs playing?

Evelyn: It was just an honest mistake, Richard! You know how forgetful I am!

Richard: We are going inside right now. Leo, take your sister to her room and get her dry clothes.