Richard took the crying infant gently into his own strong arms.
He held baby Leo close and checked his tiny arms for any injuries.
The boy was completely safe thanks to the quick hands of the young maid.
Evelyn was trembling as she stood against the tall master bedroom doorway.
Richard: How could you be so careless near the high balcony railing?
Evelyn: I tripped on my dress and lost my footing for a second!
Clara: She was holding him dangerously high over the wooden rail!
Evelyn: Shut your mouth Clara, you are just a low paid servant!
Richard: Do not speak to her like that after she saved our son!
Clara wiped the salty tears from her freckled cheeks with her trembling fingers.
She stood up straight and looked directly into the eyes of the wealthy businessman.
She knew that keeping her secret any longer was no longer an option.
The truth was going to break this peaceful home wide open very soon.
Clara: I cannot stay silent anymore while you live in total delusion.
Richard: What are you talking about Clara, speak clearly to me right now.
Clara: Leo is not Evelyn's birth child, he belongs to me completely.
Evelyn let out a loud dramatic gasp and backed into the wall behind her.
Her eyes were wide with pure terror as she shook her head frantically.
Evelyn: She is out of her mind Richard, throw her out immediately!
Clara: I have the hospital birth records saved inside my old duffel bag!
Richard: Is this some kind of sick twisted joke to get money?
Clara: Nine months ago I gave birth at the regional clinic in town.
Clara: Evelyn paid the shady doctor to switch the medical baby tags.
Richard felt like the solid floor was disappearing beneath his heavy black shoes.
He looked at his wife whose face was now red with intense anger.
She could not speak a single word to defend herself against the statement.
Her hands were shaking as she clutched her expensive gold diamond necklace.
Richard: Evelyn tell me that this maid is making up crazy stories.
Evelyn: She has no proof of anything she is saying to you!
Clara: Check the lockbox under her bedroom vanity table right now Richard.
Richard turned around and walked briskly into the spacious master bedroom suite.
Evelyn tried to block his path but he pushed past her without stopping.
He knelt on the soft plush carpet and pulled out the small metal box.
The key was sitting right inside the top drawer of the vanity mirror.
He inserted the small key into the lock and turned it with care.
Inside the box lay several folded legal documents and official hospital receipts.
He picked up the top paper and read the name printed on the line.
The mother listed on the birth document was Clara Marie Higgins.
The name of Evelyn Sterling was nowhere to be found on the paper.
Richard felt a sudden surge of heat rise up into his pale face.
His entire marriage had been built on a foundation of cruel wicked deceit.