An hour later, David was reviewing important papers inside his office.
Maya was organizing her schoolbooks on the dining room table nearby.
Little Leo crawled quietly toward the open grand foyer near the stairs.
The child pulled himself up using the polished wooden staircase railing.
He began climbing the steps slowly on his small hands and knees.
Victoria stood at the top landing wearing her striking royal blue gown.
She watched the toddler crawl up toward her without moving an inch.
Her face looked cold and devoid of any soft maternal warmth.
Leo reached the third step and looked up with a innocent smile.
Victoria stepped forward and blocked the path with her sharp shoe.
Instead of helping the baby, she pushed his small hand away sharply.
Leo lost his balance and slipped backward onto the carpeted step below.
The baby burst into loud, terrified crying that echoed through the home.
Maya heard the sharp cry and dropped her schoolbooks onto the floor.
She sprinted into the grand foyer with her heart pounding in fear.
She saw her baby brother crying helplessly on the wooden steps.
Victoria stood at the top of the stairs with a cold look.
Maya rushed up the wooden steps without hesitating for a single second.
Maya: What did you just do to him, Victoria?!
Victoria: I did not touch him! He tripped on his own onesie!
Maya scooped up the crying toddler and held him close to her chest.
Maya: I've got you! You're safe now, Leo!
She rubbed the toddler's back while tears streamed down her cheeks.
Leo hid his wet face against Maya's yellow polo shirt tightly.
Maya glared up at her stepmother with pure anger in her eyes.
Maya: I saw you block him and push his hands away!
Victoria: Watch your tone with me, young lady!
Victoria: You are lying because you dislike me being here!
David burst out of his home office looking completely panicked and pale.
He ran into the bright grand foyer after hearing the terrible screaming.
David: What happened here?! Why is Leo crying like this?!
Maya: Dad! She blocked him and pushed him down the stairs!
David froze near the bottom step while staring up in horror.
Victoria: That is an absolute lie, David! I tried to catch him!
Maya: She is lying! I saw her foot move right near his hands!
David: Everyone stay right where you are immediately!
David felt his blood run cold as he looked between the two.
The peaceful morning had turned into a total nightmare in seconds.