The upper floor of the mansion featured a wide balcony overlooking the grand white marble foyer below.
A decorative iron railing protected the drop, fitted with a heavy wooden safety gate for Maya.
The gate had a sturdy metallic lock designed specifically to keep toddlers away from the steep stairs.
One sunny Tuesday morning, Evelyn stood near the top of the balcony with a cup of tea.
She watched three-year-old Maya happily pushing a wooden toy cart along the smooth hardwood floor.
Evelyn glanced down at the hard marble steps that spiraled down toward the main entrance hall.
A sinister idea formed clearly in her mind as she listened to the quiet house around her.
She walked slowly toward the safety gate and reached down to undo the heavy metallic lock mechanism.
Instead of securing it properly, she left the latch resting loosely against the open frame edge.
A gentle push from a child would easily cause the heavy gate to swing wide open.
Evelyn then walked back toward the hallway table and deliberately called out to the little girl.
Evelyn: Maya, come see the pretty bird outside on the balcony!
Maya giggled happily and turned her small toy cart toward the open balcony doorway right away.
Her tiny feet pattered softly across the polished floor as she moved toward the unsecured area.
Evelyn stepped back into the shadows near the guest bedroom wall, holding her breath in silence.
She waited for the inevitable sound of a slip that would change her life forever.
At that exact moment, the front doors of the mansion pushed open with a quiet click.
Richard had returned home early from his board meeting to pick up some important financial documents.
He carried his leather briefcase under his arm as he stepped onto the bright marble floor.
He looked up toward the second floor to call out a warm greeting to his family.
His heart instantly leaped into his throat when he saw little Maya near the loose railing.
The toddler was leaning her hands directly against the unsecured wooden safety gate above the stairs.
The gate began to swing outward slowly over the open air of the grand foyer below.