Chapter 1 - The Water's Edge
The cold night air whipped across the illuminated patio as Elena gasped desperately for breath.
She held the crying baby tightly against her chest while the freezing pool water soaked completely through her uniform.
Her heart pounded against her ribs like a hammer after the terrifying plunge into the deep end.
Just moments ago, she had watched in sheer horror as the woman in the elegant blue dress deliberately pushed the gray stroller over the concrete edge.
The heavy impact had created a massive wave, swallowing the tiny child into the suffocating darkness of the water.
Elena had not hesitated for a single second before diving into the freezing pool to pull the helpless infant from the sinking trap.
"I saved him!" she yelled, coughing up water as she carefully carried the shivering baby up the concrete steps.
But just as she reached the dry surface, the heavy glass doors of the villa violently swung open.
Victor, the baby's wealthy father and her employer, sprinted onto the patio with a look of pure panic.
Sylvia, the woman in the blue dress, immediately stepped forward and covered her mouth in an incredibly convincing display of fake terror.
She pointed a perfectly manicured finger directly at the soaking wet employee.
"She pushed him into the water!" Sylvia screamed, forcing fake tears to stream down her flawless cheeks.
Victor froze in his tracks, his terrified expression instantly morphing into one of absolute, murderous rage.
Elena held her hands up in desperation, trying to protect the crying baby from the sudden hostility.
"No, Mr. Victor, I swear she is lying to you!" Elena pleaded while shivering uncontrollably in the night breeze.
Victor aggressively snatched his son from Elena's arms, looking at her with absolute disgust.
Elena realized her words were completely useless against the beautiful woman Victor was planning to marry.
Then, as she looked past Victor's shoulder, she noticed a faint red glow hidden high up in the oak trees.
"The camera has recorded everything!" Elena shouted, pointing desperately toward the hidden security lens.
Victor immediately pulled his cell phone from his pocket to access the live security feed app.
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He stared at the screen for a moment, and all the color completely drained from his face.
"The entire security system was manually wiped clean five minutes ago," Victor whispered coldly as he glared at Elena.
