Later that afternoon, the large house became very quiet and still.
Adrian was downstairs in the basement checking on the circuit breaker.
Lily sat near the upper balcony railing reading a school textbook.
She noticed Victoria walking silently down the long carpeted hallway.
Victoria was wheeling the heavy grey baby stroller toward the stairs.
Baby Maya was wrapped in a soft pink blanket inside the stroller.
Victoria glanced around the hallway to see if anyone was watching her.
She did not notice Lily sitting quietly behind the tall indoor plant.
Lily raised her smartphone and started recording a clear video.
She felt a sudden knot of fear tight in her stomach.
Victoria stopped right at the top of the marble staircase.
The stairs were steep and stretched all the way down to the foyer.
Victoria placed her hands firmly on the handle of the stroller.
She shifted her weight and deliberately pushed the stroller forward.
The stroller began to roll rapidly toward the open staircase.
Victoria: Oh no, my baby!
Victoria shouted out loudly to make sure the house heard her.
The heavy stroller tipped past the first marble step.
Down in the foyer, Elena heard the sudden panicked scream.
She looked up and saw the stroller rolling down the steps.
Elena dropped her cleaning cloth and sprinted across the polished floor.
She threw herself forward toward the bottom of the grand stairs.
Her hands grabbed the frame of the stroller with all her strength.
The stroller stopped abruptly on the lower landing platform.
Elena cradled the little blanket immediately to check on the infant.
Elena: Shh, little one, you are safe now!
Elena: I have you, sweet baby!
Baby Maya began to cry loudly from the sudden shock.
Elena hugged the infant close to her heart and breathed heavily.
Victoria rushed down the stairs, making loud dramatic noises.
Victoria: Get your hands off my child right now!
Elena: Mrs. Sterling, she was rolling down the stairs!
Victoria: Because you let go of her, you reckless fool!
Victoria pointed an angry finger directly at Elena's face.
Elena stood up slowly, her body trembling with deep shock.
Elena: I was in the foyer when it started rolling!
Victoria: Do not lie to me in my own home!
The foyer doors burst open as Adrian rushed into the room.