Elena adjusted the crisp collar of her gray maid uniform as she stood near the grand staircase.
The sun washed over the polished white marble foyer of the huge Dallas mansion.
A custom wooden frame holding an American flag hung high on the main accent wall.
Elena had worked for Adrian Vance for three years as his main housekeeper and nanny.
She cared deeply for Adrian's young daughter Lily and his new baby girl.
Adrian was a successful Texas real estate developer who worked long hours at his office downtown.
Six months ago, Adrian had married Brenda, a woman who loved high fashion and expensive jewelry.
Brenda treated the household staff with cold disdain and constantly complained about small mistakes.
That morning, Brenda walked down the upper hallway wearing a bright gold sequin dress.
She was holding the silver handle of the baby's luxury stroller near the top step.
Elena noticed the stroller wobbling precariously close to the edge of the smooth marble stairs.
She dropped her duster and ran toward the steps with her hands stretched out in fear.
Brenda suddenly let go of the handle and backed away into the upper carpeted hallway.
The heavy stroller tipped forward over the edge and started bumping down the stairs.
Elena lunged across the slick white marble steps to catch the falling stroller frame.
She grabbed the lower metal bar just before the carriage could flip over completely.
The impact dragged Elena down four hard steps before she hit the lower landing hard.
Pain shot through her shoulder as she slid across the slick white marble floor below.
She held the stroller upright against her knees to keep the baby completely safe.
The infant began to cry, but she was completely unharmed inside the padded carrier.
Elena checked the harness straps with trembling hands while breathing a heavy sigh of relief.
She pressed her forehead against the cool frame and whispered soft words of comfort.
Steps echoed above as Brenda stood on the top landing pointing a sharp fingernail down.
Her face twisted into a furious scowl as she began shouting toward the front entryway.
Adrian walked through the heavy wooden front doors carrying his leather work briefcase.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the scene in his main foyer.
Brenda began to scream loudly before Adrian could even put down his briefcase on the table.
She claimed that Elena had deliberately pushed the heavy stroller down the stairs in anger.
Elena looked up from the floor with wide, tearful eyes in total shock at the accusation.
She tried to speak, but the harsh words from her boss's wife cut her off immediately.
Adrian rushed toward his crying baby while looking at Elena with deep disappointment and rising anger.