The morning sun cut through the tall windows of the grand foyer.
Dust motes danced in the quiet air of the expensive mansion.
Young Leo stood near the top of the wide marble staircase.
His tiny hands gripped his favorite blue toy car very tightly.
His stepmother Evelyn watched him from the marble landing below.
She wore an elegant royal blue gown that reached the floor.
Her cold eyes tracked every small move the little boy made.
Leo felt nervous whenever he was left alone with his stepmother.
He took one small step back away from her sharp gaze.
Suddenly Evelyn took a quick step up toward the quiet child.
Her hand reached out near the edge of the smooth steps.
Leo lost his balance and fell backward down the hard stairs.
The loud thud echoed across the high ceilings of the house.
Leo hit the cold floor near the bottom with a cry.
Evelyn did not rush down to help the bruised little boy.
Instead a cold laugh escaped her lips as she watched him.
She adjusted her blue dress and looked down with pure disdain.
Evelyn: Accidents happen so easily when you are careless.
Leo began to cry as pain shot through his knee.
Across the hall a door pulled open with a sharp sound.
The house maid Sarah heard the heavy noise from the kitchen.
She dropped her yellow cleaning cloth onto the polished wood floor.
Sarah ran straight toward the grand foyer as fast as possible.
She saw the young boy lying helpless on the cold floor.
Her heart pounded wildly inside her chest as she moved fast.
Sarah slid down on her knees beside the crying child.
She pulled Leo close into a warm and safe hug.
Sarah: Are you okay sweetie?
Leo hid his wet face in Sarah's neat white apron.
He shivered from the sudden shock of the nasty fall.
Sarah looked up at Evelyn standing calmly on the landing.
Anger rushed through Sarah's veins like a hot fiery wave.
She had seen Evelyn step too close right before the fall.
Sarah: Don't you ever dare touch him again!
Evelyn raised an eyebrow and smirked down at the maid.
Evelyn: Watch your tone with me you foolish girl.
Sarah: You pushed him on purpose and I saw it!
Evelyn: Nobody will ever believe the words of a simple servant.
Sarah wrapped her arms tightly around the trembling young boy.
She knew she was risking her cozy job right now.
Her whole living depended on working inside this giant home.
Yet she could not let a helpless child suffer abuse.
Leo grabbed Sarah's sleeves with his small weak fingers.
Leo: It hurt real bad Sarah.
Sarah: I know sweetheart but you are safe with me now.
Evelyn slowly walked down the rest of the marble stairs.
Her high heels clicked loudly against the polished white surface.
She stood over Sarah and the boy like a shadow.
Evelyn: Pack your bags and get out of my home right now.
Sarah: I am not going anywhere without securing his safety first.
Evelyn: You are fired as of this very second.
Sarah stood up slowly while keeping Leo right behind her.
She stared directly into the eyes of the cruel woman.
The tension in the foyer was stretched to its limit.
Neither woman moved a single inch as the seconds ticked by.