The morning sun cut through the tall windows of the grand estate.
Sarah adjusted her navy blue uniform while holding a stack of fresh laundry.
She had worked for the rich family for less than two months.
The massive house always felt cold despite the luxurious furniture everywhere.
Little Lily was just six months old and spent most days upstairs.
Sarah took extra care whenever she was near the nursery.
She knew the stepmother Victoria rarely showed any real affection.
Ethan spent long hours at his corporate office handling legal contracts.
That left Victoria alone in the home for most of the day.
Sarah walked carefully down the long marble hallway toward the main living room.
She heard the muffled sound of a baby crying near the couch.
The sound was urgent and filled with sharp distress.
Sarah lowered the laundry basket onto a nearby wooden table.
She hurried her steps toward the open double doors.
The heavy drapery blocked part of the bright morning light.
Victoria stood near the steaming ironing board in a glittering evening dress.
Her face looked twisted with sudden unreasonable anger.
The baby lay helpless on the thick cushions of the sofa.
Victoria raised the heavy metal iron high into the air.
She pointed the hot flat surface directly toward the crying infant.
Sarah felt her heart stop completely in that terrifying second.
She did not pause to think about her job or her salary.
She sprinted across the polished floor with everything she had.