The grand entrance of the Vance estate always smelled like polished oak and fresh lilies.
Elena adjusted her tan uniform while holding her dusting cloth tight.
She had worked for the family for over three years now.
Every morning started the exact same way for the quiet maid.
She polished the marble steps until they reflected the morning sunlight.
The white marble was smooth and swept clean every single day.
Above the landing hung a massive decorative American flag.
It was a gift from Mark Vance's grandfather decades ago.
Mark was a wealthy real estate manager who inherited the property.
He lived in the house with his newborn son, Little Leo.
His new wife, Sarah, moved in just four months prior.
Sarah liked expensive dresses and wore bright red silk often.
Elena noticed how quiet the baby got around his new stepmother.
Sarah rarely held the child unless Mark was standing nearby.
When Mark went to his city office, the mood changed instantly.
Sarah would lock herself in the study to take private phone calls.
Elena kept her head down and focused on her daily cleaning chores.
She noticed the baby stroller was left near the open staircase again.
The brakes were rarely locked when Sarah brought the baby downstairs.
Elena had warned the young stepmother twice earlier that week.
Sarah had simply rolled her eyes and told Elena to mind her work.
The tension in the mansion grew stronger with each passing morning.
Elena walked toward the base of the staircase with her spray bottle.
She heard the faint sound of small wheels squeaking above her head.
Looking up, she saw Sarah standing right beside the top banister.
Sarah was dressed in her favorite bright red silk wrap outfit.
The baby carrier was sitting on its low wheeled base right there.
Elena stopped wiping the wooden ledge and watched carefully.
Sarah reached out a hand toward the small blue plastic handle.
Her fingers gave the stroller a sudden, sharp forward nudge.
The small wheels tipped forward toward the top marble step.
Elena felt her heart freeze instantly inside her chest.
She dropped her cloth onto the cold white floor below.
There was no time to yell or shout a warning upstairs.
She sprang forward toward the bottom of the grand stairs.
The stroller frame slipped bump after bump down the incline.
Elena threw herself onto her knees at the lower step landing.
She reached out both arms with everything she had inside her.
Her fingers caught the padded fabric just as it slid free.
She scooped the swaddled baby into her chest and held on tight.
The plastic base bumped against the bottom step and stopped completely.
Elena was shaking so hard she could barely catch her breath.
Little Leo blinked up at her and began to cry loudly.
Elena rocked him gently against her tan cotton work uniform.
She looked up toward the top landing with wide tearful eyes.
Sarah was standing right under the flag with her fists clenched tight.