The afternoon sunlight poured through the towering stained glass windows of the grand lakeside manor.
Emily sat quietly on the bench near the front foyer while clutching her small chest.
Her breath felt tight and heavy after carrying several heavy boxes up the stairs.
She reached into her small apron pocket to retrieve her prescription inhaler.
Her hand found nothing inside the empty cloth lining of her apron.
Panic surged through her chest as she remembered placing it on the kitchen counter.
She stood up slowly and walked toward the large granite kitchen island.
Victoria stood near the counter while wearing an expensive blue evening gown.
The older woman held the small blue plastic inhaler between her long acrylic fingernails.
A cold smile spread slowly across Victoria's sharp and heavily painted face.
Emily: Victoria, please give that back to me right now.
Victoria: You need to learn some respect in this house, little maid.
Emily: I cannot breathe easily when my chest gets this tight.
Victoria: You will finish scrubbing the foyer marble before receiving anything.
Emily took a step forward while holding her hand out in quiet desperation.
Victoria quickly pulled the blue inhaler high out of the young girl's reach.
Victoria: Do not dare step any closer to me without permission.
Emily: My father left that medicine specifically for my daily care.
Victoria: Your father is busy in city court and cannot help you now.
Emily felt her knees grow weak from the lack of steady airflow.
She leaned against the edge of the dark mahogany dining room table.
Victoria leaned in close while whispering harsh words directly into her ear.
Victoria: You are just a spoiled brat who needs proper discipline.
Emily: Please, I just want my blue inhaler back right now.
Victoria: Go fetch the bucket and mop from the laundry utility room.
Emily wiped a small teardrop from her pale cheek with her thumb.
She knew arguing with her cruel stepmother would only make things worse.
She turned around slowly and headed toward the quiet hallway linen closet.
Victoria placed the small blue inhaler into her own small clutch purse.
She snapped the golden metal clasp shut with a sharp metallic click.
She looked down at her polished red nails with total cold indifference.
Emily leaned against the hallway wall while trying to catch her breath.
The quiet mansion felt colder and bigger than it ever had before.
She prayed her father would return home earlier than his usual schedule.