Clara finished polished the wooden handrail near the bottom of the stairs.
She heard the soft sound of crying coming from the upper level.
She looked up and saw Victoria standing near the open balcony edge.
Victoria was holding small baby Leo wrapped tightly in a white cloth.
The balcony overlooked the heavy black-and-white checkered marble floor below.
Clara stopped working and felt her heart suddenly jump into her throat.
Victoria was holding the baby awkwardly over the railing of the balcony.
Her face looked strange and completely devoid of any real motherly warmth.
Clara took a step forward and called out softly to her mistress.
Victoria did not turn around to acknowledge the maid's gentle voice.
Instead, her fingers began to loosen around the heavy white swaddling cloth.
Clara realized in a single terrified second what was about to happen.
She ran forward with all the speed her body could manage.
The white bundle slipped completely free from Victoria's careless hands.
Clara dove onto the hard marble floor directly beneath the high balcony.
She caught the falling baby securely against her chest just in time.
The force of the impact knocked the breath completely out of Clara.
She slid across the smooth checkered marble and held the infant tight.
Baby Leo began to cry loudly against Clara's trembling shoulders.
Clara stayed on her knees and sobbed with deep relief and agony.
She looked up toward the high balcony with tear-filled eyes.
Victoria stood near the American flag, looking down with a cold stare.
There was no shock or sadness visible on Victoria's frozen face.
She simply turned her back and smoothed her golden gown once more.
Clara held the infant closer and wrapped her arms around his back.
She promised the small child that she would never let him go.
The heavy quiet of the massive foyer returned once again.
Clara knew that her life in this house had changed forever.