The large front doors of the mansion clicked shut as Arthur drove away.
Evelyn turned around instantly, her warm smile vanishing into a cold sharp scowl.
She looked down at young Maya who was holding baby Liam in her arms.
Evelyn: Stop standing around like a useless ghost in my bright house!
Maya stepped back slowly toward the kitchen wall with her baby brother.
Maya: I was just about to feed Liam his warm morning milk.
Evelyn: You will scrub every floor panel before you touch any baby bottle!
Maya swallowed her deep fear as her small hands began to shake visibly.
She had tried so hard to like her new stepmother over the past months.
She had hoped for a warm motherly bond after losing her own dear mother.
Instead Evelyn was strict, cold, and angry whenever Arthur was not looking at them.
Evelyn forced fourteen-year-old Maya to do heavy housekeeping chores every single day.
She made Maya scrub the marble kitchen counters until her fingers grew raw.
She demanded that Maya carry baby Liam everywhere while sweeping the long hardwood floors.
If Maya made a tiny mistake, Evelyn would scream at her with harsh insults.
Maya: Dad said I should focus on my high school homework this morning.
Evelyn: Your father pays for this luxury mansion while you live here free!
Evelyn: Do not dare talk back to me or I will make things worse!
Maya bit her lip hard to stop herself from crying out in sadness.
She looked down at her tiny brother who was sleeping peacefully in his carrier.
She knew she had to protect him from Evelyn's bitter and angry mood spikes.
Evelyn walked into the high-key bright kitchen with light marble floors and white walls.
She pointed a long red manicured finger toward a huge pile of dirty dishes.
Evelyn: Clean every single dish before your father gets home tonight!
Maya: Please stop shouting, Liam is waking up and getting very scared now.
Baby Liam opened his eyes and began to cry loudly in his soft carrier.
His tiny face turned red as bright tears streamed down his small cheeks.
Maya shifted the weight of the carrier while reaching for the heavy scrub sponge.
Maya: Please stop crying baby brother, I am trying to finish as fast as I can.
Evelyn slammed her hand down onto the expensive marble kitchen island with a loud bang.
Evelyn: I am sick of hearing that brat cry in my peaceful house every day!
Maya stood her ground bravely, placing herself directly between Evelyn and the carrier.
She felt her heart hammering wildly against her ribcage as she stared at her stepmother.