The bright Texas sun hit the front windows of the big Dallas home.
Inside the house, young Lily sat on the hard floor.
Her hands felt sore and tired after hours of forced work.
She held a small white cloth against the cold surface.
Tears rolled slowly down her dusty cheeks as she worked.
Her stepmother sat nearby at a long wooden dining table.
Victoria ate her breakfast without looking down at the child.
The mansion felt cold despite the summer heat outside.
Lily tried her best to clear away every tiny mark.
She wanted her father to come back through the door.
Her father was a busy man who traveled for work.
He trusted his new wife to care for his home.
Victoria ruled the quiet estate with a cold iron hand.
She gave the young girl impossible tasks every single day.
Lily wiped the floor again while her arms trembled softly.
She whispered a tiny plea under her low breath.
Victoria put down her silver fork with a loud click.
She stared straight ahead with a hard gray glare.
No one ever argued with Victoria inside this big house.
The servants had all been sent away that morning.
Lily felt completely alone in the giant empty room.
She missed her mother who had passed away years ago.
Her father promised to protect her before he left town.
Now she wondered when his car would pull up outside.
She rubbed the floor until her fingers grew stiff.
The quiet room made every tiny sob sound so loud.
Victoria stood up slowly from her high wooden chair.
She looked down at the small girl with pure anger.
Lily squeezed the wet cloth tightly between her fingers.
She prayed for the heavy front doors to open up.