The bright foyer of the Sterling mansion was filled with warm sunlight on Tuesday morning.
Polished marble floors reflected the sparkling crystal chandelier hanging high above the main entryway.
Sarah adjusted her apron while holding a stack of clean linen towels near the grand staircase.
She heard sharp footsteps echo across the second level upper balcony.
Victoria walked out from the master suite wearing a rich orange satin gown.
Her face was pale and twisted with sudden fury as she looked down.
Little Maya stood near the wooden railing holding a small worn teddy bear.
The six year old girl took two steps backward away from her stepmother.
Victoria: You stupid girl!
Victoria shouted her words across the huge open room with bitter anger.
She grabbed the front of Maya's white dress with two tight hands.
The child gasped loudly as her small feet slipped on the slick wooden floorboards.
Sarah dropped her stack of white towels onto the hard floor immediately.
Sarah: Help me!
The maid screamed as she sprinted toward the bottom of the grand stairs.
Victoria yanked the child toward the staircase landing with reckless force.
Maya lost her footing and tumbled down the lower carpeted steps into the foyer.
Sarah slid onto her knees on the cold marble surface across the room.
She caught the terrified child tightly in her open arms before she hit the floor hard.
Maya wrapped her small arms around Sarah's neck and began to sob loudly.
Sarah: I have you, sweetie.
Sarah held the crying child close against her beating chest to keep her safe.
She raised her head and looked upward with deep fear and burning anger.
Victoria stood at the middle landing looking down at them without any regret.
Victoria: It was an accident!
The blonde woman pointed her gold ringed finger directly down at Sarah.
Sarah: She slipped from your hands!
Sarah held Maya tighter while tears washed down her own red cheeks.
Sarah: Don't touch her ever again!
Victoria began walking down the marble steps with slow measured strides.
Her heavy designer heels clicked loudly against the pale polished floor.
Victoria: You are just hired help here!
She stepped down toward the maid with her chin held high and arrogant.
Victoria: You will keep your mouth shut!
Sarah put herself between the angry woman and the crying little girl.
She felt her entire body shaking from the intense fear inside her heart.
Yet she refused to move an inch away from protecting the child.
The tall wooden double front doors stayed closed while the loud argument raged.
Heavy silence hung in the bright air for a fleeting moment between them.
Victoria raised her hand to push Sarah away from the little girl.
Sarah pulled Maya back toward the edge of the large marble entryway.
Sarah: Stay away from her!
The heavy front doors suddenly clicked and began to swing wide open.