The morning sun cut through the tall windows of the massive mansion on the edge of Boston.
Elena adjusted her clean white apron as she walked quietly down the polished hallway.
She had worked for the rich Vance family for only three short weeks.
The house was vast and cold, filled with expensive art and silent rooms.
Arthur Vance was a wealthy man who owned a major shipping company downtown.
He had recently married a young socialite named Victoria after his first wife passed away.
Arthur spent long days working at his corporate office downtown.
He left his baby son named Leo home with his new wife Victoria.
Elena loved little Leo from the moment she first saw his bright blue eyes.
The poor baby spent most of his time isolated in the top floor nursery.
Victoria did not care for the duties that came with being a mother.
She preferred spending her large allowance on designer shoes and social galas.
Elena often heard Victoria complaining on her phone about the child.
Victoria treated the sweet baby boy like an unwanted chore.
On a bright Tuesday morning, Elena heard an unusual scraping noise in the grand foyer.
She paused near the dining room door and listened closely.
A cold chill ran down her back as she stepped into the hallway.
She gasped when she saw Victoria walking slowly near the tall columns.
Victoria wore an elegant burgundy dress and high red heels.
Behind her on the cold marble floor was small baby Leo.
The baby wore a black chest harness attached to a long nylon strap.
Victoria held the strap tightly in her manicured hand like a leash.
Little Leo struggled to crawl across the slick stone floor.
His knees were bare against the freezing marble surface.
Victoria pulled the strap firmly to drag the tired child forward.
Elena felt her blood run hot with deep shock and anger.
She could not believe anyone would treat a sweet baby this way.
The small boy whimpered quietly as he tried to keep up.
Victoria did not even turn around to look at his sad face.
Elena dropped her feather duster onto the pristine floor.
She ran quickly across the foyer to stop the cruel sight.