The utility room was located at the far end of the bright home.
It had tall white walls and a large framed American flag artwork hung high.
Steaming water filled three large stainless steel tubs near the floor drains.
Chloe piled thick metal baking pans and cast iron pots into the deep water.
Chloe: Scrub every single pot until there is not a single spot left.
Lily: The water is very hot, Chloe, it hurts my skin.
Chloe: Stop complaining and get to work before I get really upset.
Lily reached her small hands into the warm water and grabbed a scrub pad.
Her hands turned bright red as she scrubbed the heavy iron cookware.
Steam rose up into her face, making it hard for her to breathe easily.
Chloe stepped back into the hallway and stood near the wooden doorway.
She leaned against the doorframe with a cold and calculating look on her face.
She checked her gold watch and smirked silently to herself in the hallway.
Chloe: You need to work faster if you want lunch today.
Lily sobbed softly as her arms began to ache from the heavy labor.
She had been working for over three straight hours without any break.
She thought about her late mother and how safe she used to feel.
She wondered why her father had not noticed how tired she always was.
Meanwhile, Mark was sitting at his desk at the engineering firm downtown.
He tried to focus on his blueprints, but he felt an odd worry inside.
He opened his laptop and checked the home security mobile app on his phone.
The app showed that the front door camera had recorded no bus pick-up.
Mark felt a sudden rush of concern sweep over his chest and shoulders.
Mark: Why did Lily not get on the school bus this morning?
He picked up his phone and dialed Chloe's mobile number immediately.
The phone rang four times before going straight to generic voicemail.
Mark tried calling the home landline, but nobody picked up the receiver.
He closed his laptop, grabbed his jacket, and headed for the elevator.
His supervisor asked where he was going in such a huge rush.
Mark: I need to check on my daughter right now, something is wrong.
He jumped into his sedan and drove fast through the suburban traffic.
His heart beat rapidly against his ribs as he turned onto his street.
He pulled into the concrete driveway and noticed Chloe's luxury car parked.
The front door was unlocked, so Mark stepped inside without making noise.
The house was eerily silent except for a strange sound from the back.
He heard the quiet splashing of water and a faint child's whimper.
Mark walked quietly down the long hallway toward the utility room entrance.
He saw Chloe standing by the frame, peeking inside with a cold smile.
Mark: Chloe, what are you looking at over there?
Chloe jumped in place and turned around with a shocked, pale expression.
Chloe: Mark! What are you doing home so early from work today?
Mark pushed past her and stared straight into the bright laundry room.
He saw his tiny daughter trembling beside the large tubs of water.
Lily's shirt was soaked, and her hands were beet red and shaking badly.
Mark: What in the world is happening in here right now?!