The bright garden floodlights cast sharp shadows across the concrete pool deck behind the billionaire estate. Near the lawn, an illuminated full-sized American flag fluttered high against the dark night sky. Clara held a tray of clean glasses near the patio doors, her uniform apron damp from work. Beside the swimming pool, Victoria stood in a sparkling royal-blue diamond-studded gown, tapping her long nails on the handle of a dark blue baby carriage.
Clara: Miss Victoria, please step back from the deep end. The water is freezing tonight.
Victoria: Do not tell me what to do on my own family patio, waitress.
Clara: Little Toby is asleep inside that stroller. The concrete slope is slick from the sprinklers.
Victoria: This child is an obstacle to my future, and so are you.
A cold, sinister scoff escaped Victoria's lips as her hands gripped the padded stroller handle tight.
Clara: Step away from him right now!
Victoria: Goodbye, little heir.
Without warning, Victoria shoved the carriage forward with both arms, launching it over the edge into the illuminated turquoise pool. A massive splash shattered the quiet night, and the stroller vanished straight toward the bottom. Clara dropped her silver tray, dishes crashing onto the stone, and bolted toward the water.
Clara: NO! TOBY!
Clara kicked off her flat shoes and dove straight into the glowing pool, the freezing water knocking the breath from her lungs. She kicked her legs with all her strength, fighting the drag of her heavy uniform skirt as she swam downward. The swaddled baby was already sinking fast inside the overturned carriage, bubbles rising toward the surface.
She grabbed the fabric of the blanket, pulling the tiny boy against her chest before kicking hard toward the lights above.
When she breached the surface gasping for air, her arms shook as she hoisted the coughing infant onto the wet concrete under the glowing American flag.
Clara: I saved him! She pushed him in!
Before Clara could pull herself onto the deck, heavy dress shoes stomped across the stone. Ethan Sterling, dressed in a sharp tailored dark suit, stormed out from the terrace doors, his face dark with fury. Beside him, Victoria dropped to her knees, sobbing loud fake tears as she pointed an accusing finger at Clara.
Victoria: Ethan, she threw your baby in! She tried to drown him!
Ethan ripped the crying infant from Clara's grip, and before she could speak, his hand flew back, delivering a ferocious, full-force slap across her soaking-wet face.