The morning sun cut through the heavy drapes of the grand dining room inside the Vance mansion in Dallas. Victoria stood near the head of the long polished table, her hands clenched tight as she looked down at the bright yellow soup dripping onto the white marble floor. Her tailored suit was spotless, but her face was dark with fury as she glared at the woman kneeling at her feet. Elena pulled her apron tight against her swollen body, trembling while trying to wipe the spill with a small paper towel that soaked through instantly. The heat from the soup had left red marks across Elena's hands, but she did not dare complain about the burn. Her hair was pulled back in a simple tie, and her humble maid uniform was stained bright yellow from the spilled bowl.
Victoria took a sharp step forward, her high heels clicking loudly against the marble floor as she grabbed a fresh napkin from the table. She shoved it down toward Elena with a cold glare that showed no mercy for the pregnant woman below her. The mansion was completely silent except for the quick, quiet breaths coming from Elena as she struggled to keep her balance on the slippery floor. For six long months, Elena had been forced to live in the shadows of this massive house, hidden away in the basement quarters while working as a low-level housemaid under a fake name. Victoria had made sure that no one outside the kitchen staff knew Elena was still living inside the estate. She had taken away Elena's phone, her papers, and her freedom, threatening to end her life if she tried to reach out to anyone.
Victoria: Pick up every drop right now or you will spend the night outside in the cold yard!
Elena: I am sorry, ma'am, my hand slipped because the bowl was too hot to hold.
Victoria: I do not care about your excuses! Get on your hands and knees and clean this mess!
Elena pressed her hand against her stomach, feeling a quick kick from her unborn child as she bent closer to the cold marble floor. The stress of the daily abuse was wearing down her body, but she kept her eyes fixed on the floor to avoid making eye contact with Victoria. Victoria had taken control of the entire estate after telling everyone that Elena had run away with another man months ago. She had convinced Julian that his young wife was a greedy woman who had terminated her pregnancy and fled the country with millions of dollars from the family business account. Julian had been so crushed by the painful news that he buried himself in his corporate work, leaving Victoria to run the house with absolute authority. Elena knew that if she spoke up without proof, Victoria would use her power to destroy her completely.
Elena scrubbed the stone floor while Victoria watched her like a guard watching a prisoner in a small cell. The cold air from the air conditioner blew across the room, making Elena shiver as her wet uniform stuck to her skin. She remembered the day she was locked in the back room when Julian was told she was gone forever. She remembered hearing his loud cries from down the hall while she was held down by Victoria's hired guards. Now, working as a servant in her own home, she had to endure constant insults just to keep her child safe until she could find a way out. Victoria leaned down close to Elena's face, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper that carried pure venom.
Victoria: Remember your place here. You are nothing more than a servant in this house now, Elena.
Elena: Please, just let me finish cleaning so I can sit down for five minutes.
Victoria: You will work until I say you can stop, and not a single second before that!
Elena wiped a stray tear from her cheek before it could drop onto the yellow stain on the stone floor. She knew she had to stay strong for her baby, even if her body felt like it was going to collapse under the heavy physical strain. Victoria turned her back to walk toward the head of the table, completely unaware that the front double doors of the house were unlocking. The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the tall hallway leading into the formal dining room, making Victoria pause in her tracks. Elena kept her head down, afraid that looking up would bring even more anger from the cruel woman standing over her.