Sarah sprinted across the stone pool deck, her heart pounding heavily in her chest.
Victoria gave a strong, cruel push right at the high edge of the upper balustrade.
Lily lost her footing completely and fell straight down toward the deep water below.
A terrified scream echoed through the quiet yard as the child splashed hard into the pool.
The white blanket floated quickly away as the cold water swallowed the young girl.
Sarah did not hesitate for even a single second as she reached the pool edge.
She kicked off her shoes and dove straight into the deep end of the water.
The cool blue water wrapped around Sarah as she opened her eyes underwater.
She saw Lily sinking down toward the dark bottom of the large pool.
Sarah kicked her legs with all her strength to reach the struggling little girl.
Her hands grabbed Lily's small arms securely under the clear water.
She pulled the child close to her chest and kicked upward toward the bright surface.
With a loud splash, Sarah broke through the surface, gasping hard for warm air.
Lily coughed up water, clinging tightly to Sarah's wet blue maid uniform.
"I got you, sweetheart," Sarah breathed out softly, moving to the shallow steps.
"You are safe now, Lily, I have you safe."
Up on the upper balcony, Victoria stood perfectly still, looking down with cold eyes.
She did not look sorry at all for what she had just done to the child.
Instead, a small, ugly smile touched the corners of her dark red lips.
Sarah carried the wet, shaking girl up the shallow steps of the swimming pool.
Suddenly, the glass patio doors slammed open with a very loud, sudden bang.
Arthur Sterling rushed outside, his face pale with sudden panic and confusion.
He had heard the loud splash and the screaming while inside his home office.
He ran past the big American flag hanging neatly near the heavy back wall.
"What happened out here?" Arthur demanded, his voice shaking with real fear.
Sarah pointed a trembling finger straight up at the upper balcony deck.
"She pushed your daughter!" Sarah yelled out desperately toward her wealthy employer.
"Victoria pushed Lily off the balcony on purpose!"
Arthur stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes turning wide with absolute shock.
He looked at his dripping wet daughter and then up at his tall wife.
The quiet peace of the morning was now completely shattered beyond repair.