The heavy black stroller bounced violently down the first few marble steps, its metal frame clattering against the stone. Elena's heart pounded in her chest like a sledgehammer as she threw herself across the foyer floor.
Elena: No! Lily!
Victoria: Oh my goodness! Help!
Elena dived across the final few feet of the slick marble, her knees scraping hard against the stone. She thrust both hands forward, catching the frame of the stroller just as it pitched forward toward the ground. The force of the impact rattled her shoulders, but she held on tight, stabilizing the carriage before it could flip over onto the sharp floor edges.
Elena: I caught her! I got you, baby, you're okay!
Lily: *Crying softly* Waah! Papa!
The double front doors burst open with a loud thud. Marcus Vance stepped into the foyer, his briefcase slipping from his hand as he took in the chaotic scene before him. His eyes widened in absolute fury as he saw Elena on her hands and knees, clutching the stroller, while Victoria stood at the top of the stairs, wringing her hands.
Marcus: What the hell is going on here?! You let my baby roll down the stairs?!
Elena: Mr. Vance, please! I caught her, she's safe!
Marcus: You incompetent fool! How could you let this happen to my daughter?!
Victoria: Marcus, darling! It was terrible! The maid wasn't watching her!
Marcus marched toward Elena, his face flushed with anger. Elena stayed on the ground, trembling as she checked Lily's arms and legs for any sign of injury. The toddler was shaking, her small cheeks stained with tears.
Elena: I swear to you, Mr. Vance, I was at the bottom of the stairs. I saw the whole thing.
Marcus: You were supposed to be supervising! If anything happened to Lily, I'd have you thrown in prison!
Victoria: Fire her right now, Marcus! She almost killed our little girl!
Elena: Mrs. Vance, how can you say that? You know what really happened up there!
Victoria: Don't you dare talk back to me, you worthless girl! You slipped up and now you're trying to blame me!
Marcus pulled out his phone, his thumb hovering over the screen as he glared down at the trembling maid.
Marcus: Give me one good reason why I shouldn't call the police right now and have you arrested for child endangerment.
Elena: Because I didn't push her, sir! I ran to save her!
Victoria: She's lying, Marcus! Send her away before she hurts Lily again!
Little Lily raised a small, trembling hand from inside the stroller, pointing her tiny finger straight up toward the top of the grand staircase, right at Victoria.
Lily: Papa stop! Mommy pushed me!
Silence slammed into the foyer like a physical blow. Marcus froze, his chest heaving as the toddler's words hung heavy in the air. He looked down at his daughter, then slowly raised his head toward his wife.
Marcus: What... what did she just say?
Victoria: She's just a child, Marcus! She's confused and scared!
Elena: She's telling the truth, Mr. Vance. I saw your wife's hands on the carriage handle.
Leave a Comment