Elena smoothed down the front of her dark navy uniform as she walked into the grand foyer.
The morning light bounced off the polished white marble floors of the Sterling family estate.
A massive American flag hung on the main wall near the top of the staircase.
Elena had worked for Mark Sterling for three years as the head housekeeper.
She cared deeply for his six-month-old son, little Leo.
Mark was a hardworking real estate developer who spent long hours at his downtown office.
His new wife, Victoria, had moved into the mansion just two months ago.
Victoria always wore expensive designer dresses and treated the house staff with cold disdain.
Elena adjusted a vase of fresh lilies on the entryway table.
She heard the faint sound of wheels squeaking on the hardwood floor above.
Victoria was pushing little Leo's stroller along the upstairs hallway.
Elena looked up toward the grand landing with a slight smile.
She expected to see the baby smiling over the top of his soft white blanket.
Instead, she saw Victoria standing completely still near the edge of the top step.
Victoria wore a bright royal blue dress that stood out against the white walls.
Her hands rested firmly on the handlebar of the silver stroller.
Elena stopped wiping the table and watched the scene unfold with sudden worry.
The mansion felt unusually quiet except for the ticking of the tall grandfather clock.
Victoria looked down the long flight of stairs with a strange expression on her face.
She did not look like a loving mother enjoying a peaceful morning with a child.
Her jaw was tight and her eyes were fixed on the hard marble below.
Elena felt a cold chill run down her spine as she took a slow step forward.
She wanted to believe that everything was perfectly fine in the home.
Mark was a good man who deserved a happy family life after losing his first wife.
Elena kept her eyes locked on the top landing as Victoria shifted her stance.
The quiet morning air was about to be broken by a terrifying moment.