Sarah stared across the long dining table with a heavy feeling in her chest.
The bright light overhead burned down on the white walls of the grand room.
Her mother-in-law, Evelyn, adjusted her expensive cardigan and glared across the room.
Little Lily sat quietly in her chair and tried not to make any noise.
The small girl held her tiny fork with shaking hands.
Evelyn: Why is this child sitting at my main table?
Sarah: She is eating her dinner quietly, Evelyn.
Evelyn: She does not look like she belongs in a mansion like this.
Sarah: Please do not speak about my daughter that way.
Evelyn slammed her glass onto the table with loud force.
The red drink spilled across the pristine tablecloth.
Lily let out a soft gasp and pulled her arms close to her chest.
Evelyn: Look what you made me do, you awkward little girl!
Lily: I am sorry, Grandma!
Evelyn: Do not call me that name!
Sarah stood up quickly from her chair.
Her green blouse rustled as her posture went stiff with anger.
Sarah: Stop shouting at my daughter right now!
Evelyn: I will speak to her however I want in my own home!
Sarah: This is my husband's home too, and Lily is his daughter.
Evelyn leaned forward with a cold smile across her thin lips.
Evelyn: My son is away on business, so I run this estate.
Lily began to cry softly as the harsh words filled the open room.
Sarah walked over to her daughter and put her arms around her shoulders.
The large glass windows behind them showed the security guards pacing outside.
People on the street often looked through the front gates at the famous family mansion.
They thought this house was full of peace and happiness.
They had no idea what kind of cruelty lived inside these marble walls.
Sarah wiped the wet tears off Lily's pale cheeks.
Sarah: It is okay, sweetie, mommy is right here.
Evelyn: Stop coddling her like she is delicate!
Evelyn: She needs to learn her place in this house!
Sarah: Her place is with her family, who love her!
Evelyn: She is not part of my legacy, Sarah!
Sarah felt her blood boil inside her veins.
She knew Evelyn had never accepted her marriage into this wealthy family.
Evelyn wanted her son to marry a woman from rich high society.
Instead, he married Sarah, a simple school teacher with a good heart.
Evelyn took out her hatred on poor little Lily every chance she got.
Sarah: You have been bitter ever since the day we got married.
Evelyn: I wanted the best for my son, not a charity case!
Sarah: I worked hard for everything I ever had!
Evelyn: You have nothing compared to our estate!
Sarah looked at the cold marble floors beneath her feet.
She realized that talking to Evelyn was completely useless.
The older woman was filled with endless pride and spite.
Lily kept sobbing into Sarah's waist with tiny body shakes.
Lily: Mommy, I want to go home to our old house.
Sarah: We will leave soon, my love.
Evelyn: You cannot leave until I give you permission!
Sarah: Watch me walk out that door right now.
Evelyn: If you step out, I will make sure my son cuts you off from the inheritance!