By early afternoon, the bright sunlight poured into the vast foyer, illuminating the marble floor below the staircase.
Elena was downstairs wiping down the antique mirror near the grand double front entry doors of the mansion.
She heard the soft wheels of the luxury baby stroller squeak against the polished hardwood upstairs balcony floor.
Looking up, Elena saw Victoria pushing little Leo's heavy stroller along the narrow edge of the upper walkway.
The upper balcony had a gleaming brass railing, but it sat directly above the steep, sharp marble steps.
Victoria was dressed in a champagne-gold silk dress, her face completely pale and devoid of any soft emotion.
Elena stopped wiping the mirror and watched carefully, feeling an immediate wave of deep unease sweep over her.
Elena: Ma'am, please let me help you bring the baby stroller down using the home elevator balance!
Victoria did not answer the maid, nor did she turn her head to acknowledge the polite offer at all.
Instead, she lined the heavy stroller up directly with the top edge of the steep marble grand staircase.
Elena watched in horror as Victoria deliberately released her hands from the comfortable leather grip of the handle.
With a sudden, subtle shove of her palm, Victoria sent the heavy stroller rolling straight toward the descent.
The baby carrier lurched forward, its front wheels slipping dangerously over the top marble step of the flight.
A terrible gasp escaped Elena's throat as she dropped her cleaning cloth onto the polished floor instantly without thinking.
She sprinted forward with reckless speed, her rubber-soled shoes gripping the slick floor as fast as possible.
She launched her body up the first few marble steps, reaching her arms out as far as she could.
The stroller tipped forward on two wheels, threatening to tumble down twenty hard steps to the floor below.
With a final desperate dive, Elena grabbed the thick rear metal frame of the stroller with both hands.
The sudden pull jolted her shoulders painfully, but she held on tight, pinning the wheels against her chest.
The infant inside let out a loud, startled cry as the heavy frame stabilized firmly on the top landing.
Elena scrambled up to her knees, pulling the heavy stroller completely back onto the flat floor of the balcony.
She pulled little Leo out of the seat and held the crying baby closely against her trembling shoulder.
Tears of sheer relief rushed down Elena's cheeks as she felt the warm, rhythmic breathing of the unharmed child.
Elena: I have you sweet boy, you are safe now, I have got you completely safe right here!
Victoria stood just three feet away, her eyes wide with shock and intense irritation at the maid's action.
Victoria: What do you think you are doing grabbing my baby carrier so violently like a lunatic, Elena?
Elena: You pushed him toward the stairs on purpose, Victoria, I saw your hand push the handle clear!
Victoria: How dare you accuse me of such an absurd thing in my own luxury private residence today!
Before Victoria could step closer, the heavy front double doors of the mansion swung wide open downstairs suddenly.
Arthur Miller walked inside carrying his leather briefcase, having returned early from his downtown executive meeting after all.