The bright sun shone over the huge backyard of the Vance estate in Dallas, Texas.
Elena adjusted her clean grey maid uniform as she carried a tray of iced tea outside.
She was twenty-four years old and worked hard every day to support her younger brother.
The Vance family owned one of the largest real estate firms in the entire state of Texas.
Carter Vance was a quiet man who spent most of his long days inside his home office.
His new wife, Vanessa, was an elegant blonde woman who loved gold dresses and expensive silk jewelry.
She had married Carter six months ago after his first wife passed away from a sudden illness.
Elena walked across the polished white marble terrace near the crystal blue swimming pool.
She saw Vanessa standing right near the edge of the deep water next to a black baby stroller.
Inside the stroller sat eight-month-old Leo, Carter's beloved baby boy and sole heir to his fortune.
Vanessa wore a sleeveless gold sequin dress that glittered under the Texas sun.
Elena noticed something strange about the way Vanessa looked down at the small baby stroller.
Her face was cold and calm, without a single tear or trace of maternal warmth.
Elena set the silver iced tea tray down on a small side table near the lawn chairs.
Suddenly, Vanessa put her manicured hands on the black handle of the heavy baby stroller.
With a quick and hard push, she shoved the stroller straight toward the pool's deep edge.
Elena let out a loud gasp as the stroller wheels skidded over the wet poolside tiles.
The black stroller tipped over the edge and fell into the deep blue water with a huge splash.
Elena did not hesitate for a single second when she saw the stroller sink down fast.
She kicked off her heavy work shoes and dove headfirst into the cool water of the pool.
The sudden plunge echoed through the quiet backyard like a violent burst of thunder.
Elena kicked her legs hard and swam deep down toward the bottom of the sunlit pool.
Bubbles rushed past her face as she unbuckled the baby from the sinking stroller under water.
She wrapped her strong arms around little Leo and pulled him up toward the warm daylight.
Elena broke through the surface of the water, gasping for air and holding the child high.
Leo was crying loudly, kicking his tiny legs, but he was completely unharmed and safe.
Elena hauled herself up onto the slippery marble tiles and pulled the baby close to her chest.
She coughed up pool water, weeping with relief as she rocked the frightened small child.
Elena: Shh... you are safe now, baby Leo.
Vanessa stood over them, her face twisting into a cold and dangerous smile of pure malice.