David Vance stood near the large front window of his estate.
He looked at the green grass stretching across the grounds.
His family had lived in this town for forty years.
David built his investment company from the ground up.
He lost his first wife three years ago after a long illness.
Her loss left a deep hole in his everyday life.
His daughter Lily was only four years old at the time.
Lily had soft blonde hair and bright blue eyes.
She reminded David of her mother every single morning.
David tried his best to make Lily feel safe.
He hired extra staff to help keep the house clean.
He brought in tutors to help Lily with her early reading.
Yet David felt Lily needed a mother figure in her life.
Six months ago, David met Evelyn at a charity gala.
Evelyn was an elegant woman who wore fine silk clothes.
She spoke with a smooth voice and smiled very easily.
She told David that she loved young children very much.
David believed her words and let her into his world.
They married in a small quiet courtroom two months ago.
Evelyn moved into the marble mansion short weeks later.
She brought expensive luggage and high expectations into the halls.
David thought his household was finally complete and safe again.
He wanted Lily to grow up feeling completely loved.
However, small things began changing around the home rapidly.
Evelyn asked for control over the monthly household money.
She asked about David's legal estate and long-term will.
David explained that his primary trust belonged to Lily.
He explained that the company stock was locked for Lily.
Evelyn smiled when he told her, but her eyes stayed cold.
She did not hug Lily when the girl walked into the room.
She often asked the nanny to keep Lily in the back playroom.
David noticed the small distance, but he made quick excuses.
He told himself that stepmothers needed extra time to adjust.
He believed that patience would fix every small family issue.
He had no idea that jealousy was growing inside Evelyn's heart.