The cold water stung Elena's eyes as she kicked hard toward the bottom.
The blue stroller was sinking fast toward the concrete pool floor.
Bubbles rose toward the surface as the heavy metal frame pulled the baby down.
Elena swam with all her strength to reach the submerged stroller in time.
Her uniform felt heavy and dragged against her arms in the water.
She reached out and grabbed the metal frame of the handles with both hands.
The plastic buckle holding little Leo was jammed tight under the safety strap.
Elena pulled at the plastic clip until her fingernails bent backward.
She squeezed the release button with all the power in her thumbs.
The strap finally snapped open and freed the soaked white blanket.
Elena gathered baby Leo tightly against her chest with her left arm.
She kicked her feet against the hard pool floor to push herself upward.
Her lungs burned desperately for air as she kicked toward the surface light.
She broke through the top of the water gasping for huge breaths of air.
Baby Leo began coughing water and making small crying sounds against her neck.
Elena pulled herself onto the slick concrete edge of the swimming pool.
She lay on her side holding the wet baby close to keep him warm.
Footsteps echoed across the patio as the heavy glass doors slammed open.
Victor Crawford rushed out onto the deck wearing his dark silk suit.
Victoria followed right behind him with her hands over her mouth in fake horror.
Elena tried to speak but she was coughing up pool water on the ground.
Victor saw his wet baby and his face turned red with terrible anger.
He did not listen to the wet maid breathing heavily at his feet.
Victor stepped forward and snatched baby Leo straight out of Elena's cold arms.
He believed his new wife's scream without asking a single question first.
Elena raised her hands to explain what had just happened in the dark yard.
Before she could finish her sentence, a loud slap rang out through the night.