The sunny Texas afternoon was supposed to be quiet and peaceful inside the massive Dallas estate. Hannah adjusted her blue apron as she walked down the bright hallway, polishing the marble tables along the wall. The giant crystal chandelier sparkled under the natural sunlight that poured through the tall windows. She had worked for the Sterling family for three years now, caring for young Leo ever since his mother passed away. His father, Arthur Sterling, was a famous businessman who built a fortune worth millions. Arthur loved his son deeply, but his recent business trip left Leo alone in the house with his stepmother, Vanessa.
Vanessa had married Arthur just two years ago, but everybody in the house knew she only cared about the family wealth. She wore expensive green silk dresses and spoke down to the staff like they were invisible. Hannah never liked the way Vanessa looked at young Leo. The ten-year-old boy had been using a wheelchair since an accident last year, and Vanessa often treated him like an inconvenient obstacle. Hannah always stayed close to Leo, protecting him whenever his stepmother grew impatient or cold.
As Hannah walked toward the main staircase, a strange smell filled the air. It was not the scent of fresh flowers or cooked meals. It was thick, heavy smoke. She stopped near the framed flag on the wall and sniffed the air again. A sudden crackling sound came from upstairs, followed by the loud blare of a smoke detector. Hannah's heart dropped into her stomach. She turned around and saw black smoke beginning to pour out of the upper hallway vents.
Suddenly, the sound of high heels clicked rapidly down the upper corridor. Vanessa came running around the corner, wearing her dark green dress, her face flushed with excitement rather than terror. She was holding a leather folder packed tightly with legal documents. Hannah gasped and took a step toward the stairs, ready to sprint up to Leo's room.
Hannah: Where is Leo? Is he upstairs?
Vanessa: Get out of the house right now, Hannah! The whole upper floor is going up in flames!
Hannah: I have to get Leo! He cannot walk!
Vanessa grabbed Hannah's arms tightly, pulling her back with surprising force. Her eyes were wide, and a cruel smile twitched at the corner of her lips. She leaned in close, her voice sharp and icy.
Vanessa: Leave him! The trust becomes ours tonight!
Hannah: You left him to die!
Hannah looked at Vanessa with total horror. She realized in that terrible second that this fire was no accident. Vanessa had intentionally trapped the young boy in his room to claim the multi-million dollar trust fund for herself before Arthur returned. Hannah pulled her arms free from Vanessa's tight grip, grabbing a thick cloth from her cleaning cart and soaking it with water from a nearby vase.
Vanessa: If you go up there, you will die too!
Hannah: I am not leaving that boy!
Hannah pressed the wet cloth over her nose and mouth and charged directly up the broad stairs, leaving Vanessa standing alone in the grand foyer.