The golden morning sun filled the giant Texas mansion with warm light.
Clara held her dusting cloth tightly as she walked down the quiet hallway.
She worked hard every day to keep the huge house completely spotless.
The white marble floors polished by her hands shone like clean glass.
Suddenly, a sad cry echoed from the big room near the front entrance.
It was little baby Dominic, crying softly all by himself on the rug.
Clara: Oh sweet baby, what is the matter with you today?
Clara dropped her yellow cloth and ran quickly across the clean bright room.
Her heart beat very fast because she loved the small boy so much.
She reached down gently and scooped the warm little boy into her arms.
Clara: Stop crying little one, I am right here with you now!
The baby rested his tiny wet cheek right against her blue cotton shirt.
He stopped shaking as soon as he felt her safe and gentle hold.
Clara smiled sweetly and rocked him back and forth in the grand foyer.
Suddenly, sharp footsteps rattled on the clean marble tiles behind her back.
A tall woman in a costly silk dress marched down the grand stairs.
It was Victoria, the new bride who had just moved into the mansion.
Her bright blonde hair was perfectly styled, but her face was extremely sour.
Victoria: Get away from that brat immediately right now!
Clara turned around slowly while holding the small baby very close to her.
Clara: He was crying alone on the cold floor, ma'am.
Victoria: I do not care about his silly crying at all!
Victoria marched right up to Clara with her red lips pulled back tight.
Victoria: You are just a hired maid in this house, Clara!
Clara: He is only a baby who needed help today, ma'am.
Victoria: Put him down on the rug right this very second!
Clara took a step backward toward the big framed American flag wall art.
She could see deep anger burning inside Victoria's icy blue eyes today.
Clara: I cannot leave him crying on the hard cold floor.
Victoria: You will follow my orders or leave this grand house forever!
Victoria reached out her hand aggressively toward the frightened young nanny.
Clara turned her body sideways to shield the sweet baby from any harm.
Clara: Please do not scream near his gentle little ears, ma'am.
Victoria: You dare to talk back to me in my home?!
Victoria raised her voice loud enough to echo off the high ceilings.
The tiny boy began to cry softly again from all the shouting.
Clara held him tighter and prayed that someone would come help them soon.
She knew that the wealthy master of the house was returning home today.
If only he could see what was truly happening behind his closed doors.