The tension in the grand hallway grew so thick that the air felt heavy and cold. Clara stood at the very edge of the steep marble staircase, holding the stroller with just one hand while looking down the long flight of hard steps. Baby Maya started crying softly, sensing the sudden movement and the cold draft blowing up from the lower floor. Clara's lips curled into a faint smile as she glanced back toward the hallway to make sure nobody was watching. She did not notice thirteen-year-old Lily standing near the top of the dark balcony hallway above, holding her smartphone out quietly to record what was happening. Lily had distrusted Clara for months, secretly gathering evidence of how mean her stepmother was when her father was not home.
Clara: Get out of my way right now!
Elena: Ma'am, stop! What are you doing near the steps?
Clara: Don't you dare touch me or step any closer!
With a sudden, violent shove, Clara pushed the gray stroller directly toward the open drop of the steep marble staircase. The stroller tilted forward on its two front wheels, hanging over the edge of the first step. Elena screamed loudly, throwing her body forward with absolute desperation. She slid across the slick marble floor on her knees, her fingers stretching out as fast as she could. In a split second of incredible bravery, Elena grabbed the lower metal frame of the stroller just as it was about to roll down the thirty stone steps. The sudden stop made the stroller shake violently, causing baby Maya to scream in sheer terror, her sweet laughter completely gone.
Elena pulled the heavy stroller backward with all her strength, pinning it against her chest while remaining on her knees at the edge of the steps. Clara stood over her, her face red with anger because her dark plan had failed. She reached down and grabbed Elena's hair, pulling it hard to force the maid away from the baby. Clara shouted loudly, trying to create enough noise to make it sound like Elena was the one who had caused an awful accident. She wanted everyone in the mansion to believe that the maid was careless and had nearly dropped the child down the stairs.
Clara: You pushed her! You tried to drop the baby down the stairs!
Elena: No! I saved her! You pushed her with your own hands!
Clara: You are a lying servant! I will make sure you go to prison for this!
Elena held onto the stroller straps tightly, refusing to let Clara touch the crying child. She hugged baby Maya close to her chest, whispering gentle words to soothe the terrified infant while Clara continued shouting accusations at the top of her lungs. Down the long hallway, heavy footsteps suddenly echoed off the walls. Mark was rushing out of his second-floor office, his face pale and full of dread after hearing the desperate screams coming from the grand staircase landing.