Elena spent the next two hours sitting on the soft carpet of the third-floor nursery with little Maya.
They built high towers out of wooden blocks while soft sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains.
Maya giggled happily every time a tall wooden tower tumbled over onto the plush floor rug.
Around noon, the young maid noticed that Maya's favorite silver baby rattle was missing from the shelf.
She remembered leaving it down on the kitchen counter after washing it earlier that morning.
Elena: I will be right back with your rattle, little one.
Maya: Okay, Elena!
Elena walked down the carpeted hallway and headed toward the grand double staircase overlooking the foyer.
As she approached the top landing, she noticed Chloe standing near the decorative banister in her peach dress.
Chloe had pulled back a heavy decorative runner rug right at the edge of the polished marble floor.
The glossy surface underneath the rug was slick with leftover marble polish and fresh liquid wax.
Elena paused near the hallway corner, keeping behind a tall indoor palm tree to watch quietly.
She saw Chloe deliberately place Maya's small wooden toy truck right on the slick, slippery spot.
The spot sat inches away from the top edge of the steep, high-angled balcony drop.
Chloe then turned around and called up toward the third-floor hallway with a deceptively sweet voice.
Chloe: Maya, honey! Come look at the pretty toy down here!
Elena's heart pounded wildly against her ribs as she realized what Chloe was trying to do.
If Maya ran down the hallway toward the toy, she would slip on the slick marble floor.
The momentum would carry the light toddler straight over the polished wooden balcony edge to the floor.
Elena did not hesitate for even a single fraction of a second when she heard footsteps.
Little Maya came running out of the playroom, giggling as she chased after her favorite wooden truck.
Maya: My truck!
Chloe: That's right, sweetheart, come get it!
Maya's small soft shoes hit the slick, waxed marble patch right at the edge of the drop.
The child instantly lost her balance, her feet sliding out from under her near the balcony edge.
Chloe stepped back quickly, putting her hands behind her back with a cold, cruel expression.
Elena leaped forward across the hallway, diving with all her strength toward the sliding toddler.
She slid on her knees across the polished marble, reaching her arms out to full length.
Just as Maya slipped over the top step, Elena caught the child firmly around the waist.
She pulled Maya tightly against her chest, rolling backward onto the safe carpeted hallway floor.
The heavy brass vase sitting near the banister crashed down the stairs with a loud, echoey bang.
Maya began to cry loudly from the sudden shock, clinging tightly to Elena's white apron.
Elena: I've got you, Maya!
Elena: You're safe, baby, you're safe!
Elena cradled the trembling girl in her arms, tears of relief pouring down her own cheeks.
She looked up and saw Chloe standing over them, her face twisted in pure, fury-filled rage.