The stroller wheels clicked loudly as they hit the edge of the top step.
Elena dropped her cleaning towel and sprinted across the polished marble floor.
Her heart pounded wildly inside her chest as the metal frame rolled forward.
The heavy stroller gained speed as it tumbled down the broad stone steps.
Elena: No, stop!
Elena dove across the bottom landing without thinking about her own safety.
Her knees slammed hard against the cold marble near the base of the stairs.
She stretched her arms out as far as she could reach along the floor.
Her hands caught the front bumper of the stroller just before it flipped over.
The hard rubber wheels came to a sudden halt against her outstretched wrists.
A cloud of dust settled in the sunbeams near the bottom step landing.
Elena checked inside the stroller carriage with shaking fingers and fast breath.
She pulled little Maya tightly against her chest with a deep gasp of relief.
Elena: I have you, sweet baby, you are safe now.
Maya cried softly against Elena's grey uniform collar from the sudden jolt.
Elena stood up slowly, her knees trembling from the painful impact with stone.
She looked up the staircase toward the woman standing at the top landing.
Victoria stood perfectly calm with her arms crossed over her designer silk dress.
There was no horror or fear on Victoria's face as she looked down.
Elena: How could you do something so dangerous in this home?
Victoria: You should watch your tone when speaking to the lady of the house.
Elena: You pushed a stroller down a steep flight of marble stairs!
Victoria: Nobody will ever take the word of a common maid over mine.
Victoria started walking down the stairs with slow, deliberate steps toward Elena.
She reached the bottom landing and stood right in front of the shaken maid.
Elena held the baby securely against her shoulder while taking a step back.
Victoria: Give me that child right now, Elena.
Elena: You are not taking her after what you just did on those stairs.
Victoria: She is my stepdaughter, and you are just paid help here.
Victoria reached out aggressively to grab the baby blanket from Elena's hands.
Elena stepped behind the heavy hallway pillar to protect the crying infant.
Elena: Stay back from us until Mr. Montgomery gets home!
Victoria: You are making a huge mistake raising your voice at me.
The heavy front door of the mansion suddenly swung open with a creak.
Adrian Montgomery stepped into the foyer wearing his navy athletic shirt.