The morning light streamed through the towering windows of the grand lakeside manor.
Sarah adjusted her white apron and smoothed down her navy blue uniform in the hallway.
She had worked for the Vance family for over four dedicated years.
Her main duty was caring for baby Leo while his father managed his firm.
Julian Vance was a wealthy man who cared deeply about his young son.
However, his new wife Elena brought a heavy cloud of tension into the house.
Elena loved the mansion and the status that came with the family name.
Yet she showed very little warmth toward little Leo when Julian was away.
Sarah noticed how Elena always looked annoyed whenever the baby cried in his room.
This morning, Sarah was polishing the brass railing near the top floor landing.
She heard the distinct squeak of stroller wheels rolling across the polished oak floor.
Elena was pushing the heavy designer stroller toward the top of the grand marble staircase.
She wore a bright emerald green satin gown that rustled against the floorboards.
Sarah paused her work and watched the scene with a sudden surge of worry.
The upper landing was very close to the steep descent of hard marble steps.
Leo was sitting safely inside his stroller, clutching his small blue toy blanket.
Elena stopped right at the edge of the polished marble top step.
She looked around the high hallway as if checking to see who was near.
Sarah stayed quiet in the shadowed alcove near the guest bedroom doorway.
Elena reached down and quietly released the safety brake on the stroller wheels.
She pushed the stroller forward until the front wheels hovered over the edge.
Sarah gasped softly and immediately stepped out from the shadowy doorway alcove.
Elena turned her head quickly and caught sight of the uniform in the hall.
Her face went pale for a brief second before turning cold and rigid.
She quickly reached down to pretend she was adjusting the leather handle grip.
Sarah hurried down the long carpeted hallway with fast and determined steps.
She put her hands directly onto the stroller frame to pull it back.
Elena glared at the maid with sharp eyes full of sudden dark anger.
The stroller was safe on the flat landing, far from the marble edge.
Sarah held the handle tightly and refused to let go of the baby.
Leo giggled softly, completely unaware of the tension above his head.
Elena stepped closer and tried to pry Sarah's hands off the stroller.
Her green dress swished loudly as she moved into the maid's space.
The atmosphere in the grand hallway turned cold and filled with threat.