Chapter 8: Dawn's Early Light
The morning sun broke over the suburban horizon, casting long, golden rays across the dew-kissed lawn. The copperhead incident felt like a surreal nightmare, but the digital footage remained securely stored on the home server as irrefutable proof.
Elena was up at 6:00 AM, dressed in a fresh, crisp maid uniform—a clean blue top and a starched white apron. Her dark hair was pinned back neatly into a bun. She moved quietly through the kitchen, brewing fresh coffee and preparing a bottle for Leo. The house was dead silent. Julian typically left for his architectural firm by 8:00 AM, and Victoria rarely emerged before nine.
The back patio door was unlocked. Elena stepped outside with a broom to sweep away the fallen leaves near the pool edge where the dramatic confrontation had taken place the night before. The stone was completely dry now, giving no hint of the chaos that had transpired hours earlier.
A soft click behind her made Elena turn. Julian stood in the doorway, holding a warm mug of black coffee. He looked tired, dark circles shadowing his eyes, but he offered her a small, appreciative smile.
"Morning, Elena," he said quietly, stepping out onto the patio.
"Good morning, Julian," Elena replied, resting the broom against the brick wall. "How is Leo?" He slept through the rest of the night," Julian said, taking a sip of his coffee. "He’s upstairs now, waking up with Victoria." He paused, looking down at the pavers. "Listen, Elena... about last night. I haven't forgotten how you risked your safety for him. I spoke to Victoria this morning before she woke up fully. Things need to change around here."
Elena folded her hands neatly in front of her apron. "Mr. Julian, I’m just glad the baby is safe. That’s all that matters to me."
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"It matters to me how you're treated, too," Julian said firmly. "Victoria was out of line. I’m not excusing it. But I also want to address the security around the property. We're calling animal control today to inspect the fence line and clear out the brush. And..." He hesitated. "I want to make sure you feel safe working here. If Victoria makes things impossible for you, I want you to come directly to me."
Before Elena could answer, the sliding glass door opened again.
