Liam slowly pulled himself up using the grand polished staircase banister.
He took three tiny steps upward toward the shiny marble top landing.
Victoria stood at the very top, watching the toddler climb higher.
She intentionally placed her high heel right near his little reaching hand.
Instead of helping him, she deliberately nudged a heavy wooden block downward.
The heavy block hit little Liam’s shoe, causing him to slip backward.
Liam let out a loud, terrified gasp as he lost his footing.
Sarah dropped her heavy laundry basket onto the hard floor instantly.
“No! Liam!” Sarah screamed with all the strength in her lungs.
She sprinted across the foyer with incredible speed and total focus.
Her heart pounded wildly inside her chest as she leaped upward.
Liam tumbled down two steps into the open air above the marble.
Sarah threw her arms out and caught her baby brother securely.
She pulled him close against her shoulder, shielding his small body.
Liam began to cry hysterically from the sudden shock and fright.
“I’ve got you, it’s okay,” Sarah whispered through shaking lips.
She held him tight while resting her back against the wooden steps.
Victoria stood above them with a cold, unbothered expression on her face.
She smoothed down her silk dress as if nothing had happened.
Sarah looked up at her stepmother with pure anger and absolute disgust.
“You nudged that block on purpose!” Sarah yelled at the woman.
“Do not speak to me like that, you ungrateful girl,” Victoria snapped softly.
“You wanted him to fall down these dangerous marble stairs!” Sarah shouted.
“He is an awkward baby who tripped over his own feet,” Victoria claimed.
Sarah stood up slowly while cradling the terrified child in her arms.
She knew right then that Victoria was a dangerous threat to them.
The heavy mahogany door to David’s private study flew wide open.
David rushed into the hallway with a look of horror on his face.
“What is happening out here?” David demanded in a booming voice.