Inside the white living room, Sarah stood with her arms crossed near the tall curtains.
Lily sat on the floor with her small hands resting nervously on her knees.
Sarah: You broke my favorite porcelain vase on purpose today.
Lily: It was an accident, I promise I bumped into the table!
Sarah: Accidents happen when children do not pay attention to the rules.
Lily: I am sorry, please don't be mad at me!
Sarah walked over to the kitchen counter and picked up a large metal bucket.
She filled the container with heavy ice cubes from the freezer unit in the pantry.
The cold sound of the ice hitting the metal filled the quiet living room.
Lily backed away slowly until her small back touched the bottom of the sofa.
Sarah: This will teach you to be careful around my precious things.
Lily: Please, no more, Mom!
Sarah raised the metal bucket high above the frightened girl's blond head without hesitation.
She tipped the heavy container forward and let the freezing ice drop down suddenly.
Lily cried out as the sharp cold hit her delicate hair and soaked her shirt.
Melting water ran down the little girl's face like a stream of cold tears.
Sarah stood over her with a cold expression while holding the empty metal bucket.
She showed no sympathy at all as the child shook from the shivering cold.
Sarah: Stand up and clean up this mess before your father arrives home.
Lily: It hurts so much, please stop!
Sarah grabbed the child's arm to pull her up from the white marble floor.
She did not care that the little girl was crying hysterically in the bright room.
The household staff stood near the hallway doorway, afraid to say a single word.
Sarah ruled the whole house with strict orders and harsh words every single day.