Three days passed. Maria sat in her tiny studio apartment across town, staring at the bruises on her knees. She couldn't sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the baby falling from the balcony. She couldn't just let this go.
Her phone rang, shattering the silence. It was an unknown number from a local Dallas law firm.
Maria: "Hello?"
Lawyer: "Is this Maria Santos? Former housekeeper for Arthur Vance?"
Maria: "Yes, speaking. Who is this?"
Lawyer: "My name is Richard Sterling. I represent Mr. Vance regarding the family trust and the prenup agreement. We need to speak with you immediately."
Maria: "Is the baby okay? Did something happen to little Chloe?"
Lawyer: "The child is safe, Miss Santos. But Mr. Vance was reviewing security footage from the smart home system, and... things have changed. Can you come to my office?"
Maria’s heart skipped a beat. The smart home system! She had forgotten that Arthur installed discreet camera sensors in the crown molding during the recent renovation.
Maria: "I will be there in twenty minutes."
An hour later, Maria sat in a high-rise office in downtown Dallas. Across the glass table sat Arthur Vance, looking pale and exhausted. His head was buried in his hands.
Arthur: "Maria... I don't even know where to begin."
Maria: "You saw the footage?"
Arthur: "I saw everything. I saw Victoria drop my baby... and I saw you catch her."
Maria: "Why did she do it, Mr. Vance? She’s the baby’s mother!"
Arthur looked up, his eyes bloodshot and full of painful realization.
Arthur: "She isn't Chloe's biological mother. And that's why she tried to end her."
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