Inside the penthouse kitchen, Elena was busy folding white cloth napkins for the family's upcoming charity gala. Elena was twenty-four years old and had worked as a maid for the wealthy family for two years. She knew how cruel Victoria could be to staff, but she had always admired Sarah's kindness. Sarah had paid for Elena's mother's hospital bills when the family business ran into trouble last year.
Hearing a muffled scream carried by the outdoor wind, Elena dropped the napkins onto the marble counter and ran toward the balcony doors. When she pushed the heavy glass open, her blood turned cold. Sarah was hanging over the terrifying ledge, holding onto a rope that was slowly slipping off the iron pillar, while Victoria worked to loosen the final loop.
Elena: Stop! What are you doing, Mrs. Vance?
Victoria: Mind your business, girl! Go back inside the house right now!
Elena: I will not let you murder her! Step away from her!
Elena did not hesitate for a second. She dropped down onto her knees on the hard stone terrace floor and reached both hands over the ledge. She grabbed the rough rope just above Sarah's white-knuckled grip, straining her muscles to pull the heavy weight upward. The rough cord bit into Elena's skin, but she held on with all the force inside her body.
Elena: I have you! Hold on tight! Do not let go!
Sarah: Elena! I cannot hold on much longer! My hands are slipping!
Elena: Use both hands! Look at me, Sarah, do not look down!
Victoria: You foolish maid! You are ruining everything I built!
Victoria spun around with a look of pure rage on her face. She raised her heavy leather purse and slammed it down onto Elena's back, trying to break her focus. When Elena refused to let go of the rope, Victoria grabbed Elena by her shoulders and tried to drag her backward across the polished terrace floor. Elena screamed in pain as her knees scraped against the stone, but her hands remained locked around the rope.
Victoria: Let her fall! Let her go right now or you lose your job!
Elena: Never! She is carrying your child! How can you do this?
Victoria: She is a nobody who tried to steal our money through a lawsuit!
Elena: She is a human being! Help me pull her up, please!
The physical strain was unbearable for Elena. Her forearms trembled under the immense weight, and sweat poured down her forehead into her eyes. Below them, Sarah gasped for breath, her blue dress fluttering wildly in the high morning air. Sarah tried to find a foothold on the slippery glass exterior wall, but there was nothing to rest her feet on. Every second felt like an eternity as the sun beat down relentlessly on the three women.