Chapter 1 - The Fall“NO! Please—don’t!”
Maria’s scream tore through the marble hall.
Eight-month-old Oliver was in Vanessa Sterling’s arms on the second-floor balcony.
He was crying.
Below, Maria stood directly beneath them, both hands raised.
“Give him to me!”
Vanessa looked down.
Calm.
Too calm.
“You should have kept your mouth shut.”
Then she let go.
Oliver fell.
Maria lunged.
She caught him against her chest and slammed onto the marble.
Pain exploded through her shoulder.
Oliver screamed.
But he was alive.
Maria curled around him.
“You’re okay. I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”
The front door opened.
Adrian Cole walked in carrying a briefcase.
He froze.
His son was on the floor.
Maria was crying.
Vanessa stood above them.
“What the hell happened?!”
He dropped the briefcase and ran.
Vanessa came down the stairs fast.
“Adrian! Maria dropped him!”
Maria snapped her head up.
“No!”
Adrian took Oliver.
The baby clung to his shirt, screaming.
Vanessa pointed at Maria.
“She’s been unstable for weeks. Fire her before she hurts him again.”
Maria forced herself upright.
“She’s lying.”
Adrian looked from one woman to the other.
“What happened?”
“I caught him.”
Vanessa laughed.
“Caught him? From what?”
Maria looked toward the balcony.
Then at the small black dome in the corner of the ceiling.
“Check the cameras.”
Vanessa stopped.
Adrian saw it.
“What?”
Maria swallowed.
“The balcony camera.”
Vanessa turned toward the hallway.
Adrian caught her wrist.
“Where are you going?”
“Let go.”
“Not until I see the footage.”
Ten minutes later, the living room television showed the truth.
Vanessa.
Oliver.
The railing.
Her hands opening.
Adrian’s face went white.
“You let go of my son.”
“No.”
“I watched you.”
“You don’t understand.”
“Then make me understand.”
Vanessa stared at Maria.
Then smiled.
“Ask your precious nanny why she knew exactly where to stand.”
The room went still.
Adrian turned slowly.
“Maria?”
Her eyes filled.
“There’s something I never told you.”
She reached into her pocket.
A small USB drive landed on the table.
“Your wife gave me this three days before she died.”
May you like
Adrian stopped breathing.
“My wife?”
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