The next morning arrived with heavy dark rain clouds hanging low over the city skyline.
Mark put on his black suit and picked up his leather briefcase near the front entry.
Mark: I have meetings across town all day, Clara, so I will return late tonight.
Clara: Do not worry about a thing, darling, as Lily and I will be fine.
Mark kissed his wife on the cheek and quickly walked out toward his luxury vehicle.
Sarah stood by the window and watched his car drive down the long private driveway.
As soon as the front gates closed, Clara's cheerful mood vanished into total coldness.
She threw her coffee cup into the sink and glared directly at the young maid.
Clara: Make sure you clean the entire upper balcony before noon today, Sarah!
Sarah: Yes, ma'am, I will start scrubbing the marble railings right away.
Sarah walked upstairs carrying her polish and soft white cloths to begin her heavy work.
The upper balcony overlooked the massive double-height foyer with its cold marble floor below.
It was a long drop down to the ground level from the top landing rail.
Sarah knelt near the wide edge and carefully wiped down the detailed metal banister posts.
She heard the small sound of Lily cooing softly inside the master nursery down the hall.
Clara walked into the nursery and wheeled the baby's rolling carrier out into the hallway.
Sarah paused her work and watched Clara carefully maneuver the heavy wheeled carrier forward.
Clara stopped near the open edge of the grand balcony railing right above the drop.
The wheels of the small carrier were unlocked and turned toward the smooth marble edge.
Sarah: Ma'am, please step back from the railing with the baby's carrier!
Clara: Do not tell me what to do in my own home, you useless maid!
Clara's hands trembled slightly as she pushed the top of the handle near the low rail.
Sarah stood up quickly from her knees and felt her heart hammer against her ribs.
She saw that the small safety brake on the carrier wheels was completely disengaged.
A gentle push would send the entire heavy carrier tipping right over the wide marble ledge.
Sarah: Please move her back to the safety of her room this instant, ma'am!
Clara: Mind your place or I will fire you before the sun goes down!
Clara looked over her shoulder toward the quiet hallway to make sure no one else was there.
She placed her palms flat against the back of the carrier and nudged it forward.
The front wheels wobbled right at the very edge of the deadly upper balcony drop.
Sarah gasped in terror as the weight of the carrier began to tip forward slightly.
She did not hesitate for a single second as panic surged through her entire body.
She sprinted across the polished marble floor directly toward the dangerous balcony edge.
Clara pulled her hands back quickly and gasped as if she had made a sudden mistake.
The heavy carrier tipped over the edge and fell toward the grand foyer floor below.
Sarah dropped to her knees right near the base of the wide marble stairs.
She reached out her strong arms with every ounce of power inside her body.
The sudden rush of wind roared in her ears as the carrier fell through space.
Sarah caught the heavy carrier securely against her chest just inches above the floor.
The baby burst into loud frightened cries, but she was completely unhurt and safe.
Sarah cradled the small child in her arms and wept tears of pure emotional relief.