By late afternoon, Elena had settled into a small room right next to the nursery.
She spent hours feeding little Leo, changing his clothes, and making sure he felt safe and loved.
It quickly became clear to Elena that Victoria had very little interest in her stepson.
Whenever the baby cried, Victoria would slam her bedroom door shut or complain loudly to the staff.
The house was filled with expensive furniture, but it felt completely empty of any real warmth or affection.
Elena walked down to the kitchen to fetch a fresh bottle of baby formula for the evening feed.
In the kitchen, two older housekeepers were speaking in hushed tones while folding white linen napkins.
They stopped talking immediately the moment they heard Elena's footsteps approaching the counter.
Elena: Good evening, I just need some warm water for Leo's bottle.
Housekeeper: The kettle is right there on the counter, dear.
Elena: Does Mr. Vance usually come home late from his business trips?
Housekeeper: He works constantly, especially since the first wife passed away last year.
Elena paused while holding the warm glass bottle in her hands.
She had read online that Arthur Vance lost his first wife shortly after baby Leo was born.
He had married Victoria just four months later in a quiet court house ceremony.
Elena: It must be hard on him, raising a child while running a massive business empire.
Housekeeper: Just keep your head down and watch over that little boy carefully.
Elena: What do you mean by that?
Housekeeper: Victoria did not marry Arthur because she wanted to be a mother.
The housekeeper quickly turned her back and began washing dishes in the sink.
Elena felt a knot of worry form deep in her stomach as she carried the bottle back upstairs.
She stepped quietly along the plush carpet of the second floor hallway toward the nursery.
As she passed Victoria's master bedroom suit, she heard low, angry voices through the door crack.
Victoria was on the phone, her voice dripping with sharp venom and frustration.
Victoria: He left everything in a trust fund for that stupid baby!
Elena stopped in her tracks and leaned slightly closer to the heavy wooden door.
Victoria: If anything happens to that kid, the whole inheritance comes straight to me!
Elena pulled back in shock and held her breath so no one would hear her in the hall.
She hurried back to the nursery with her hands trembling against the warm glass bottle.
She held baby Leo tight against her chest, realizing the poor child was in terrible danger.