Mark Carter stepped inside the grand foyer carrying his heavy leather briefcase.
He had returned home early after forgetting important legal documents for court.
The sound of his son's loud crying echoed through the hallway.
Mark dropped his briefcase onto the marble floor with a sudden thud.
He quickened his pace as he entered the bright living room space.
Mark: What on earth is going on here right now?
Sarah turned toward her employer with tears welling in her eyes.
Sarah: Mr. Mark, thank goodness you came back home early today!
Evelyn quickly changed her expression to one of soft emotional distress.
Evelyn: Mark, thank goodness! Sarah just lost her temper at me!
Mark: Why is Noah screaming like he is terrified, Evelyn?
Sarah pointed a trembling hand back toward the small sunroom doorway.
Sarah: She pushed the flaming space heater right beside his blanket!
Mark moved past both women to look inside the small sunroom.
He saw the glowing red coils sitting inches from Noah's toys.
A dark wave of fury washed across Mark's strong jawline.
He turned around slowly to face his new young wife.
Mark: What did you do to my child in here?!
Evelyn: It was an total accident, Mark! I just tripped!
Sarah: She stood there and watched him cry, Mr. Mark!
Mark took three sharp steps forward until he stood right before Evelyn.
His hands unclenched as he fought to keep his emotions controlled.
Mark: You put my motherless son in direct physical harm today!
Evelyn: Mark, you cannot take the word of a common servant!
Mark: Sarah has protected this family longer than you ever have!
Mark pointed a rigid finger toward the heavy open front door.
Mark: Get out of my house right now before I call authorities!
Evelyn backed away as the intensity in his voice shook her.
Evelyn: You are making a huge mistake over a simple misunderstanding!
Mark: The mistake was ever bringing a heartless woman into this home!
Evelyn snatched her handbag from the granite kitchen counter near the doorway.
She cast a furious glaring glance at Sarah before rushing out.
The heavy front door slammed shut with a deafening echoing boom.
Silence fell over the large high-ceilinged home as Noah's cries softened.
Mark dropped to his knees right beside Sarah and his small son.
He gently took the child into his own strong trembling arms.
Mark: Is he alright, Sarah? Did the heat touch him?
Sarah: No, sir, I pulled him away just in time.
Mark let out a long shaky breath of deep overwhelming relief.
Mark: I will never be able to fully repay your bravery.
Sarah wiped a stray tear from her cheek and smiled softly.
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