By early afternoon, the clouds covered the sun and shadowed the long hallway.
Clara was setting down a fresh tray of tea in the main sitting area.
She heard the sudden sharp sound of a child crying near the grand corridor.
Her heart pounded fast inside her chest as she ran toward the sound.
Mrs. Eleanor was holding a child harness line tightly in her hand.
She was pulling little Leo across the slick hardwood floor against his will.
The small boy was whimpering and trying to stand up on his tiny feet.
Mrs. Eleanor: Keep moving right now!
Clara: Stop it! Leave my baby alone!
Clara dropped to her knees beside her child in pure panic.
She reached out her arms to pull Leo away from the harsh tension line.
Mrs. Eleanor: He needs to learn strict discipline like every heir in this family!
Clara: He is just a baby, you are being completely cruel!
Eleanor pulled the strap firmly away from Clara's reaching fingers.
Mrs. Eleanor: You have no right to tell me how to raise my grandson!
Clara stood up quickly and placed herself directly between Eleanor and the boy.
Her hands shook with intense anger and protective love for her child.
Clara: I am his mother, and I will not let you treat him like this!
Mrs. Eleanor: You are nothing more than a temporary maid who got lucky!
Eleanor stepped forward aggressively to grab the child's small arm again.
Clara pushed Eleanor's hands back gently but firmly to defend her toddler.
Clara: Do not lay a hand on him ever again!
Mrs. Eleanor: I will have David throw you out on the street by tonight!
Leo wept loudly as the conflict escalated in the grand oak hallway.
Clara gathered the frightened toddler into her arms and held him tight.
She backed away toward the front entry door while soothing her son.
Clara: Shh, it is okay baby, mommy has you now.
Mrs. Eleanor: Give that boy back to me immediately!
Eleanor reached into her heavy leather handbag to pull out a legal folder.
Mrs. Eleanor: I have custody paperwork draft ready for David to sign!
Clara: You are completely out of your mind if you think he will sign that!
Eleanor glared at Clara with absolute hatred in her cold gray eyes.
She picked up the child's dropped harness from the floor with a snap.
Mrs. Eleanor: David trusts my judgment above anyone else in this world.
Clara held Leo tighter as she backed closer to the heavy double doors.
She prayed that David would return early as he had promised that morning.