The midday Texas heat beat down relentlessly against the gleaming white marble patio of the Sterling estate[cite: 1].
Beside the Olympic-sized swimming pool, a massive American flag hung straight and still against the stone pillar[cite: 1].
Nadia wiped the sweat from her forehead, her black-and-white maid uniform clinging uncomfortably to her skin as she pushed a rolling linen cart across the flagstones[cite: 1].
Across the sparkling blue water, standing near the deep end ledge, was Victoria Sterling[cite: 1].
She wore a tailored beige linen dress, holding a silver iced tea glass while glaring down at four-month-old Toby strapped inside a black designer stroller[cite: 1].
Victoria: You should never have been born, you little parasite[cite: 1].
Nadia: Mrs. Sterling! Please move him back into the shade! The heat is too dangerous for a baby[cite: 1]!
Victoria: Mind your own business, maid[cite: 1]!
Nadia: Mrs. Sterling, watch the brake! The wheel brake is unlocked[cite: 1]!
Victoria did not lock the latch[cite: 1]. Instead, her polished hand deliberately shoved the stroller's padded handle forward[cite: 1].
The wheels tipped over the marble coping with a sharp metallic clatter, sending the carriage plunging straight into twelve feet of water[cite: 1].
A loud, violent splash echoed across the courtyard, water exploding upward in a white wall of foam[cite: 1].
Nadia didn't hesitate for a single second[cite: 1]. She kicked off her work shoes and dove headfirst into the deep end[cite: 1].
Cold water engulfed her ears as she opened her burning eyes, kicking her legs frantically toward the bottom where the heavy metal frame was sinking fast[cite: 1].
Toby was floating free from the unbuckled harness, tiny bubbles escaping his mouth as his little body drifted toward the tiled floor[cite: 1].
Nadia scooped her arms under his back, supporting his fragile neck with her palm as she kicked toward the surface[cite: 1].
She broke the water, coughing violently as the baby let out an ear-piercing shriek of terror[cite: 1].
Nadia: Oh no! Breathe, baby, breathe[cite: 1]!
Victoria stood above them on the dry marble ledge, pointing her manicured finger down with fake horror[cite: 1].
Victoria: Murderer! She threw him in[cite: 1]!
Victoria: Security! Help! The maid just tried to drown my husband's child[cite: 1]!
Heavy boots pounded across the patio behind her, but the truth about what was hidden inside the master study was about to explode into daylight[cite: 1].