David looked up at his wife standing dramatic on the marble staircase.
He then looked over at Sarah holding his crying daughter on the floor.
His face grew pale as he set his heavy briefcase down by the door.
David: What is the meaning of all this noise in the middle of the day?
Clara immediately dropped to her knees on the steps and squeezed out fake tears.
Clara: Oh David, thank goodness you have finally returned home from your meeting!
David: Clara, tell me right now why my daughter is crying so hard.
Clara: I caught Sarah trying to push our little angel near the high railing!
Sarah felt all the oxygen leave her lungs as the horrific lie hit her.
Sarah: Mr. Sterling, that is a complete lie, I saved her from falling!
Clara: She is lying to save her job because she knows she was caught red handed!
David took three long steps toward the maid with a grim dark expression.
David: Sarah, you know how much Lily means to my entire life and heart.
Sarah: I love this little girl like she were my own family, sir.
Clara: Do not listen to her sweet words because she has been reckless before!
Lily buried her face into Sarah's apron while sobbing softly against her shoulder.
Lily: Sarah caught me when I slipped on my wooden toy train, Daddy.
Clara glared intensely at the child with sharp narrow eyes of cold fury.
Clara: The poor child is confused because the traumatic moment scared her memory.
David: Quiet down for one second so I can think this through properly.
David stood between the two women as tension filled the giant grand room.
He looked at Sarah's tear-filled eyes and then at his wife's dramatic posture.
Something about Clara's story did not sit right with his quick analytical mind.
He knew Sarah had worked loyally for his family long before Clara arrived.
Yet Clara was his legal wife who promised to love his small motherless home.
Clara: Fire her this instant and throw her belongings out on the street!
Sarah: Please do not dismiss me without checking the house security cameras first!
Clara's eyes widened with a quick flash of sudden panic and visible dread.
Clara: The cameras in the grand foyer have been broken since last Tuesday night!
David: I fixed those exact security cameras two days ago, my dear wife.
Clara swallowed hard as her cheeks turned bright red beneath her dark makeup.
She folded her arms tightly across her chest and took a step back.
Clara: You would take the word of a common housemaid over your own wife?
David: I take the side of truth and the safety of my only daughter.
Sarah stood up slowly while holding Lily securely against her side.
She felt a tiny flicker of hope return inside her heavy beating heart.