Elena ran across the smooth marble floor faster than she had ever run in her life.
Her soft rubber shoes gripped the cold floor as she launched herself forward with power.
Above on the balcony, Victoria slowly loosened her grip on the small child's soft sleeve.
The cold woman whispered a harsh statement right before letting the child slide dangerously backward.
Lily let out a terrified cry as her small body tipped over the low top barrier.
Elena slid across the bright marble floor on both knees right at the bottom base.
She reached her open arms straight upward with every ounce of strength in her soul.
The maid scooped the little girl into her arms right before she hit the floor hard.
Elena hugged the sobbing child tightly against her chest while gasping for cold air.
Her knees throbbed with sharp pain from the hard impact against the solid stone floor.
She did not care about her own pain because little Lily was alive and completely safe.
The child buried her wet face deep into Elena's grey cotton shoulder while crying loudly.
Elena rocked the child back and forth gently while tears spilled down her own cheeks.
She looked up toward the top balcony rail with total fury burning inside her eyes.
Victoria stood at the railing wearing a look of pure surprise and total shock.
She had not expected the quick young housekeeper to move with such incredible speed.
Victoria quickly pulled her thin hand back and adjusted her bright yellow dress carefully.
She pressed her hands against her cheeks to fabricate a look of extreme emotional shock.
She even deliberately rubbed her own cheek roughly to create a red mark on her skin.
Elena held the child tighter as she heard heavy footsteps approaching the outer front porch.
The giant double front doors suddenly burst open with a loud thundering sound of noise.
Mark Vance walked inside carrying his leather briefcase and looking at his dark phone screen.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he heard the loud crying echo through the house.
He dropped his expensive briefcase straight onto the floor as his eyes scanned the room.
Victoria immediately started screaming loudly from the top of the grand curved stairs.
She rushed down the steps while stumbling deliberately to look like an innocent victim.
Elena stood up slowly while shielding little Lily completely behind her grey apron dress.