Sarah collided with the cold stone, her arms wrapping tightly around the blanket just inches before it struck the floor. She pulled the bundle to her chest, her breath coming in ragged, terrified gasps. The silence of the mansion rushed back into her ears, heavy and suffocating.
Sarah: Oh God... oh God, you're safe. I got you.
From the top of the grand staircase, a high-pitched laugh rang out, echoing off the high ceilings.
Victoria: Look at you, rolling on the floor like a street dog. You really thought I’d drop my own nephew?
Sarah looked down at the bundle in her arms. She pulled back the thick wool blanket with trembling fingers. Inside was nothing more than a heavy folded throw pillow wrapped in an expensive baby blanket.
Sarah: You... you tricked me. You threw a weighted pillow from the second floor just to see me crawl?
Victoria: I wanted to remind you of your place, Sarah. You’re a hired servant in my brother's house. You clean his floors, you wash his clothes, and you keep your eyes down.
Sarah: This isn't a game, Victoria. You could have hurt someone! You called me up here claiming the baby was in danger!
Victoria: The baby is sleeping peacefully in the nursery with his actual nanny. But you needed a lesson. My brother might be soft on you, but I know what you are. A gold-digger looking for a payout from the family estate.
Sarah: I’ve worked three years for Mr. Sterling! I’ve managed his household, cared for his property, and handled his family's affairs with complete honesty while you were away in Europe spending his money!
Victoria: Don't you dare speak to me about money. Every dollar in this house belongs to the Sterling family line. Not a penniless maid who thinks she’s part of the family because she serves dinner on fine china.
Sarah: I don't want his money. I work for my salary. But what you just did—endangering me, mocking a child's life—it's cruel.
Victoria: Cruelty is a tool for people who own things. You own nothing. Now pick up that blanket, wipe up your sweat off my marble, and get back to work before I tell Julian you broke a vase.
Sarah: He won't believe your lies forever. Julian is a good man. He knows how hard I work for this household.
Victoria: He’s my brother. Blood comes before hired help, Sarah. Always. If I tell him you stole from the trust fund account, who do you think he’ll believe?
Sarah stood up, her knees aching from the hard impact with the floor. She squared her shoulders, looking up at the woman on the balcony.
Sarah: You think your family name protects you from everything. But people see who you really are, Victoria.
Victoria: Go back to the kitchen before I make sure you leave this estate in handcuffs.
Before Sarah could answer, the heavy double oak doors at the front entrance swung open. The cool evening air rushed into the warm foyer, carrying the sound of rain from outside.
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