Maya: I've got you, sweet boy! You're safe now!
The little baby in the white suit buried his face against Maya's pink uniform, his small hands clutching her collar as he sobbed hysterically[cite: 1]. Maya coughed heavily, her lungs burning from the thick smoke she had inhaled inside the corridor[cite: 1]. Sparks still danced on the hem of her apron as her rapid running footsteps carried her across the grass away from the roaring heat[cite: 1].
Julian: She... she actually brought him out!
Victoria: Get away from her, Julian!
Victoria stormed across the lawn, her green dress rustling against the grass as her face twisted in sudden, unaccountable rage[cite: 1]. Instead of thanking the brave young waitress, Victoria stepped up to Maya and raised her hand, forcefully slapping Maya across the face[cite: 1]. The heavy slap impact sound cracked sharply through the open air, causing guests and staff to gasp in utter shock[cite: 1].
Victoria: How dare you touch him![cite: 1]
Maya: Ah! What are you doing?!
Victoria: Give me that baby right now, you filthy little servant!
Maya stumbled back from the blow, holding her bruised, soot-stained cheek with her free hand[cite: 1]. Despite the sharp pain on her face, she pulled the crying infant closer against her chest, refusing to let Victoria snatch him away[cite: 1]. She looked up at the wealthy woman with tear-filled, determined eyes[cite: 1].
Maya: He was trapped inside... I had to save him![cite: 1]
Victoria: You had no right to go into the private wing of this estate! You're just hired catering help!
Julian: Victoria, stop it! She just pulled my son out of a burning building!
Victoria: Julian, look at her! She probably set the fire herself so she could play the hero and ask for a reward!
Maya: I didn't set anything! I heard him crying from the catering tent while you were standing out here worrying about your jewelry!
Victoria's eyes flashed with venom as she took another aggressive step toward Maya under the American flag[cite: 1].
Victoria: Keep your mouth shut! Hand over the child or I'll have the police arrest you for trespassing and kidnapping!
Julian: Victoria, back off! Look at the mansion! The entire roof is coming down!
Behind them, a massive explosion of orange sparks erupted as the central roof of the grand white mansion caved in, sending a wave of heat across the lawn[cite: 1]. Julian and Victoria stared in stunned silence as Maya dropped to her knees on the grass, tightly hugging the crying baby to protect him from the drifting ash[cite: 1].
Maya: I love him... I will never leave you.[cite: 1]
Victoria: What did you just say? You love him?
Julian froze, his brow furrowing in confusion as he looked down at the soot-covered waitress[cite: 1]. Tears cut long, clear trails through the black ash on Maya's porcelain skin as she held the baby close, whispering tenderly into his soft hair[cite: 1].
Maya: You're safe now, my sweet boy... Mommy's here...[cite: 1]
Julian: Mommy...? Why are you calling him your boy?
Victoria's face turned pale under her heavy makeup, her hands trembling as she looked between Maya and the child in the white suit[cite: 1]. A dark, terrible secret that had been buried for two years was suddenly unraveling under the bright midday sun[cite: 1].