The chill autumn wind swept across the back garden of the sprawling suburban estate. Two-month-old baby Lily wailed softly in the arms of her stepmother, Vanessa, who stood far too close to the edge of the deep swimming pool.
Maria pushed open the glass patio door, holding a tray of warm towels, her chest tightening at the sight.
Maria: Mrs. Vanessa, please step back from the water. It’s far too cold out here for the baby.
Vanessa: Mind your own business, Maria. She’s my responsibility now, isn't she?
Maria: She’s crying, ma'am. Please let me take her inside before she catches a chill.
Vanessa: You always think you know what’s best for this family, don't you?
Vanessa turned her back toward Maria. A cold, deliberate smile crossed her face as her fingers loosened around the baby’s pink blanket. With a sudden, sickening shove, Vanessa let the tiny child fall over the concrete edge.
The heavy splash echoed across the empty stone yard.
Maria: HOLD ON, BABY!
Maria dropped the metal tray, the sound of clattering brass ringing against the patio, and ran forward at full speed. She hurled herself into the icy blue water without a second of hesitation.
Beneath the freezing surface, Maria kicked with all her strength and wrapped her arms around the sinking infant. She broke the surface, gasping for air and clutching baby Lily tightly to her chest.
From the glass doors of the mansion, Mark burst out into the yard, his face pale with sudden horror.
Mark: MY BABY!
He scrambled down the stone steps toward the pool edge. Maria lifted the crying baby up into his reaching arms.
Mark: Is she okay? Oh God, is she breathing?
Maria: She’s breathing, sir! Get her wrapped up right now!
Mark pulled his daughter close, his entire body shaking violently. Then he turned his eyes slowly toward Vanessa, who stood by the deck chairs pretending to tremble in shock.
Mark lunged forward and delivered a hard slap across Vanessa’s cheek.
Mark: HOW DARE YOU!
Vanessa: Mark, it was an accident! I lost my footing!
Maria: That was no accident, Mr. Mark! Look at what fell from her coat!
Maria climbed out of the freezing pool, holding up a soaked black pouch that had unzipped in the water, revealing papers tucked inside.
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