The morning sun cut bright beams through the high glass arches of the Dallas mansion, reflecting off the grand white marble staircase. Standing near the top steps, three-month-old baby Liam squirmed helplessly, his hysterical crying echoing off the massive walls and the framed American flag hanging nearby. Below him on the polished floor, nineteen-year-old Clara adjusted her white apron with trembling hands, her face already carrying a dark, tender bruise on her cheekbone.
Baby Liam: "WAH! WAH!"
Clara: "Please, Mrs. Vance! Put him down in his crib! He's terrified!"
Evelyn: "Quiet, you pathetic little maid! I am sick and tired of this screaming brat ruining my morning!"
Clara: "He's just hungry! Please, give him to me!"
Evelyn, wearing an expensive burgundy sequined gown, held the infant awkwardly high in the air above the drop of the marble stairs. Her red lips curled into a cold, cruel sneer as she looked down at the terrified girl on the floor.
Evelyn: "He ruins everything in this house! His precious little existence is the only reason Richard hasn't handed me full control of the family trust fund!"
Clara: "Don't do this! I'm begging you!"
Evelyn: "Oops. My hands slipped."
Evelyn opened her long fingers, letting the tiny child fall straight toward the hard edge of the marble steps below. Clara didn't think twice. She threw her body forward, diving across the stone steps with her arms outstretched, catching the child against her chest a fraction of a second before he hit the ground.
Clara: "I've got you! I've got you, Liam! Shh, you're okay!"
Baby Liam: "WAH! WAH!"
Evelyn stared down from the top of the landing, her eyes burning with pure hatred as she pointed a manicured finger at the wet, tear-stained face of the bruised maid.
Evelyn: "He ruined everything!"
Clara: "You tried to kill him..."
Evelyn: "Don't ever touch him again! You dropped him, and I tried to stop you!"
Clara cradled the crying baby tightly against her heart, tears streaming down her bruised face as the heavy white front doors of the Dallas estate suddenly swung wide open.