The grand entryway of the Vance mansion was made of bright white marble floor tiles that reflected the crystal light from above.
Clara adjusted her yellow maid uniform and wiped a bit of dust off the side of the grand double staircase.
She had been working for Julian Vance for only three weeks, but she knew the rules very well.
She was meant to clean the rooms, keep her head down, and never interfere with family matters.
Julian Vance was a wealthy man who owned a major shipping company in town.
He lived in the massive house with his young nephew, a seven-year-old boy named Noah.
Noah had lost his parents in a car accident six months earlier.
Since that terrible day, the young boy had not spoken a single word to anyone in the house.
He stayed in his bedroom most of the day, clutching his blue cardigan tight around his shoulders.
Julian had hired top doctors and nurses, but none of them could reach the child.
Clara felt a deep ache in her heart every single time she saw the boy sitting alone near the stairwell.
On a cold Tuesday morning, Clara was mopping near the large bronze statue near the front door.
Suddenly, she heard a sharp intake of breath behind her.
She turned around quickly and saw Noah standing dangerously close to the heavy bronze statue on the marble pedestal.
The boy looked confused and overwhelmed, his small fingers pulling on the heavy metal base.
Before Clara could scream out a warning, the statue tipped forward off its stand.
Clara dropped her mop instantly and threw her body toward the child.
She hit the hard marble floor, pulling Noah back into her arms just in time.
The heavy bronze statue crashed onto the floor right where Noah had been standing moments before.
A loud metallic boom echoed through the entire mansion like a crack of thunder.
Clara gasped in pain as her elbow scraped against the hard marble surface.
She ignored her own pain and wrapped both arms around the trembling boy.
At the top of the grand stairs, footsteps thundered down the wooden steps.
Julian Vance appeared at the top landing, his face pale with sudden fear and anger.
He looked down at the fallen statue and then at Clara on the floor holding his nephew.
Julian: Clara, step away from him right now!
Clara did not move away from the trembling child.
She stayed down on her knees and held Noah closer to her chest.
The small boy was shaking violently, his fingers tightly digging into her yellow apron.
Julian came running down the remaining stairs, his grey suit coat flapping behind him.
He looked at the broken base on the floor and then glared at Clara.
Julian: What did you do to him?
Clara: I saved him, Mr. Vance.