Maya straightened the hem of her neat blue uniform as she walked down the grand marble hallway.
The mansion was silent in the early morning light.
She had worked for the Sterling family for over three years.
Every morning began with the same routine of polishing light fixtures and checking every room.
She loved the quiet house before the family woke up.
Mr. Ethan Sterling was a soft-spoken businessman who built a massive logistics empire from nothing.
He treated his staff with genuine kindness and respect.
His new wife Victoria was very different from him.
Victoria married Ethan six months ago after a brief summer romance.
She wore expensive silk dresses and constant diamond jewelry.
She rarely spoke to the house staff unless she was giving sharp orders.
Maya noticed that Victoria seemed distant from Ethan's baby son.
Little Leo was only two months old and stayed in the nursery upstairs.
Ethan adored his infant son more than anything else in the world.
The child's biological mother had passed away during childbirth last year.
Ethan vowed to protect the boy with his entire heart.
Maya often spent extra time in the nursery helping the night nurse.
She loved the little baby's sweet smile and calm eyes.
On this rainy Tuesday morning, Maya heard loud voices coming from the main foyer.
She stopped her cleaning cart immediately and listened closely.
The sharp sound of high heels echoed against the marble floor.
Maya moved slowly toward the heavy oak archway near the entrance.
She peeked around the corner to see what was happening.
Victoria was dressed in a bright pink sequined gown from the evening before.
Her makeup was smeared slightly under her eyes.
She was holding the silver infant carrier with a tense grip.
Maya felt a sudden cold knot form in her stomach.
Victoria was walking quickly toward the large double front doors.
The baby inside the carrier began to cry softly.
Victoria looked around the empty hall with a bitter expression.
Maya realized the rest of the staff was in the lower kitchen area.
She was the only person standing near the grand foyer right now.
Maya stepped out from behind the archway into full view.
Maya: Mrs. Sterling, is everything alright with the baby?
Victoria startled and turned around with a dark glare.
Victoria: Mind your own business and get back to your duties.
Maya: You are taking him outside in this heavy rainstorm?
Victoria: I do not need to answer any questions from a maid.
Maya took two fast steps closer to the entrance.
She saw that the infant carrier was unlatched on one side.
The baby was shifting inside the loose blanket near the edge.
Maya: Please set the carrier down on the sofa!
Victoria: Get away from me right now!
Victoria shoved the carrier carelessly toward the edge of the marble table.
The heavy base tilted sideways off the smooth wooden surface.
Maya gasped loudly and sprang forward across the floor.
She reached out both hands just as the carrier tipped over.