The summer heat beat down heavily over the sprawling estate, but near the edge of the crystal-clear pool, the air felt ice-cold.
Elena: Please, someone help us! Help him!
Victoria: Step away from my son! Get your filthy hands off him!
Elena knelt on the wet stone deck, her hands trembling violently as she held the dripping, coughing infant against her chest. Her black-and-white maid uniform was completely soaked, clinging to her skin as water dripped into her eyes. Just seconds ago, she had watched in absolute terror as the baby stroller rolled right off the edge of the patio and plunged into the deep end of the swimming pool.
She hadn't hesitated. She had hurled herself into the cold water, diving deep under the surface to free the little boy before it was too late.
Victoria: Look what she did! Look what she did to the baby!
Richard: What on earth happened out here?!
Victoria: Richard, thank God! She pushed him! She tried to drown our son!
Elena looked up from the wet stone floor, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. The wealthy mistress of the house stood above her, dressed in a flawless gold dress without a single drop of water on her, her face contorted in dramatic outrage. Richard rushed through the double patio doors, his chest heaving as he took in the scene.
Elena: No, Mr. Sterling! That's not true! I jumped in to save him!
Victoria: She's lying! She pushed the stroller straight into the water on purpose!
Richard stepped forward, his face twisting into an expression of pure rage as he looked down at the shivering maid, and Elena realized with a cold pit in her stomach that nobody was going to believe her word against the woman who held all the power.