Sarah adjusted her plain apron as she walked through the spotless white foyer of the grand mansion.
She had worked for the Carter family for three years and loved caring for baby Leo.
David Carter was a wealthy businessman who spent long hours at his downtown corporate office.
His new wife, Elena, had moved into the estate only six months ago after a brief romance.
Elena never liked the baby and often complained about the noisy crying in the large house.
Sarah kept a close eye on the young child whenever Elena was near the nursery room.
That quiet Tuesday morning began like any other day in the quiet suburban neighborhood.
David left early for a major board meeting after kissing his young son goodbye.
Sarah was polishing the silver tea set in the kitchen when she heard loud steps above.
She set her cleaning cloth down and walked toward the grand marble staircase.
Looking up, Sarah saw Elena wheeling the heavy baby stroller along the high balcony corridor.
Elena looked nervous as she glanced around the empty upper hallway of the mansion.
The large American flag hung near the white balcony railing right behind her.
Sarah felt a sudden chill in her stomach as she watched Elena's erratic movements.
Elena paused near the edge and placed both hands firmly on the handles.
The infant began to cry softly inside the padded seat of the stroller.
Sarah took two quick steps forward toward the bottom of the grand stairs.
Elena raised her chin and looked down at Sarah with a icy glare.
She whispered a sharp warning right before pushing the handle over the marble ledge.
The heavy stroller tipped over the smooth railing into the open air above.
Sarah gasped in terror as the carriage fell toward the hard marble floor below.
She sprinted across the polished floor with every ounce of speed in her body.
Her dark grey uniform stretched tightly as she dove forward with arms reaching out.
The air rushed past her ears in one terrifying second of complete panic.
Sarah slid across the cool marble and caught the handles right above the ground.
The tires clicked against her chest as she gathered the infant into her arms.
She pulled baby Leo tight against her shoulder while sobbing in total relief.
The child cried loudly, safe and unhurt inside the padded blue blanket.
Sarah stayed on her knees, clutching the child tightly against her racing heart.
She looked up at the high balcony, her body trembling from the sudden shock.
Elena stood still near the top railing with a cold expression on her face.
Footsteps echoed outside the heavy front entrance doors of the vast estate.
The door swung open wide as David rushed inside holding his leather briefcase.
He had forgotten key documents for his morning presentation at the company office.
David froze in the doorway as he took in the strange scene before him.
He saw Sarah kneeling on the marble floor holding the screaming baby.