The bright daylight streamed into the nursery of the luxury mansion, casting long shadows across the white crib.
Vanessa held the hot clothes iron mere inches from baby Noah’s delicate skin, her face twisted in a terrifying mask of malice.
Maria: Vanessa, stop! Please, do not hurt him!
Vanessa: Get out of my way, you pathetic servant!
Maria: I will not let you touch that baby!
Maria lunged forward, throwing her body between the hot metal and the helpless child, taking the brutal blow meant for the infant.
The door burst open with a violent slam as Mark rushed into the room, his eyes wide with horror.
Mark: Vanessa! What are you doing?!
Baby Noah screamed hysterically, his cries echoing against the bright white walls and the United States flag hanging in the background.
Vanessa: Mark, thank God you are here! Look what she tried to do!
Mark: Get away from him!
Mark snatched his crying son out of the crib, pressing the baby tight against his chest while his heart hammered against his ribs.
Vanessa: She had the iron! She was going to burn our son!
Maria: That is not true! Mr. Mark, please listen to me!
Vanessa: She hurt him! She hurt him!
The heavy iron clattered against the light marble flooring with a sharp, terrifying metallic thud that rang through the quiet room.
Mark: Why were you holding that iron near my son's crib, Maria?
Maria: I was trying to protect him. She walked towards Noah with it.
Mark: Look at your face. What happened to your cheek?
Maria: She struck me when I stepped in front of the crib. There is something you need to hear, Mr. Mark.
Vanessa: Maria, don't you dare!
Vanessa: Stop... before I make you stop!
The recorded voice echoed from Maria’s hidden phone, freezing Mark in his tracks as the horrifying truth began to unravel in the sunlight.