Elena cradled the sweet infant against her shoulder as she stood in the hallway.
She felt the gentle warmth of the baby breathing against her uniform.
Victoria stepped forward with a furious scowl across her pale face.
She reached out her hands to snatch the bundle back from Elena.
Victoria: Give that kid back to me right now!
Elena: You are too upset to hold him safely right now!
Victoria: I am his mother and you are just a servant!
Elena backed away toward the top of the grand staircase.
She kept her body positioned between the angry woman and the baby.
The guests gathered in the lower foyer were whispering among themselves.
They pointed up at the drama taking place on the balcony.
Victoria lunged forward again with a sharp scream of rage.
Elena turned her shoulder to block the woman's path completely.
She held the baby tight to ensure he remained safe and warm.
Victoria stumbled slightly on the edge of her long red silk robe.
She caught her balance on the wooden railing while breathing heavily.
Elena: I will take him down to the kitchen where it is quiet!
Victoria: Do not move another inch down those stairs!
Elena ignored the harsh demand and took a careful step downward.
She placed her hand firmly on the smooth wooden handrail for balance.
Every step felt like an eternity as she moved away from danger.
Victoria rushed down the steps right behind the terrified maid.
Her barefoot footsteps slapped loudly against the cool marble steps.
The guests below backed away to make room near the bottom floor.
Elena finally reached the broad foyer and stood near the framed flag.
She rocked the baby gently to keep him quiet and calm.
The small child closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep peacefully.
Victoria reached the bottom step and blocked Elena's exit route.
She grabbed Elena's arm with a tight and painful grip.
Victoria: You will regret interfering with my plans today!
Elena: My job is to keep this family safe from harm!
Victoria: You know nothing about this family or my marriage!
Elena looked straight into Victoria's angry eyes without flinching.
She knew that something deeper was going on inside this house.
The wealthy lifestyle hid painful secrets behind its golden doors.
Suddenly, the heavy front doors began to unlock from the outside.
A shadow fell across the threshold as the lock clicked open.