Over the next two weeks, Elena worked hard to prove her dedication every day.
She kept the marble floors sparkling and made sure Leo had warm healthy meals.
Marcus was often away at his corporate headquarters dealing with high-stakes land deals.
He trusted Evelyn completely to oversee the household management while he worked late hours.
Whenever Marcus was home, Evelyn transformed into the sweetest, most loving stepmother imaginable.
She would cradle Leo in her arms and speak in soft musical tones.
Marcus smiled warmly, believing his broken family was finally healing after great tragic loss.
He even talked openly about an upcoming lavish wedding and updating his legal estate.
Elena saw the stark difference in Evelyn's personality whenever Marcus left the mansion grounds.
The second the gate closed behind his car, Evelyn's warm smile turned into disgust.
She complained about the noise Leo made when learning how to walk across rooms.
She locked herself in the master suite, spending hours browsing expensive shopping websites daily.
Elena carried laundry up the stairs late one afternoon when she heard loud voices.
Evelyn was speaking on the phone inside the formal library near the front doors.
Elena paused silently near the slightly open wooden door to listen carefully to Evelyn.
Evelyn: Don't worry, the wedding is set for next month as planned.
Evelyn: Once the legal papers are signed, I'll control the family trust fund.
Elena gasped softly, pulling back against the wall so no one saw her standing there.
She realized Evelyn was only marrying Marcus for his vast fortune and valuable property.
She wanted to tell Marcus immediately, but she knew she had no hard evidence.
A wealthy man would never believe a new housemaid over his beautiful classy fiancee.
Elena kept quiet, but she kept her smartphone tucked inside her apron pocket constantly.
She waited for the right moment to protect Marcus and little Leo from disaster.
The next morning brought bright daylight streaming through the huge mansion glass windows.
Marcus left early for an emergency board meeting across town with his legal team.
Evelyn walked down the stairs wearing her signature maroon satin dress and dark makeup.
She looked deeply annoyed that Leo was crying softly in his nearby playpen area.
Elena observed from the dining room, holding her breath as tension filled the hallway.
She felt in her heart that something unreasonable was about to take place today.