The morning light poured through the tall glass windows of the corporate hallway.
Bright white walls made the long corridor look clean, quiet, and very expensive.
An American flag hanging on a canvas added a touch of formal elegance to the floor.
Seven-year-old Lily struggled to take a step using her new metal crutches.
Her small hands gripped the cold handles as tightly as she could manage.
Behind her stood her aunt, Victoria, wearing a sharp dark grey business suit.
Victoria watched the young girl with a cold and totally unreadable expression.
She did not reach out a hand to help the child move forward.
Instead, she stood perfectly still with her arms folded across her chest.
Lily tried to balance herself on the thick patterned runner rug.
Suddenly, the rubber tip of one crutch caught the raised edge of the fabric.
Lily lost her footing and tumbled hard onto the wooden floor.
The metal crutches clattered loudly against the floorboards and echoed everywhere.
Tears immediately filled Lily's bright eyes as pain shot through her leg.
She buried her face against the rug and began to sob uncontrollably.
Lily: Mommy, it hurts!
Victoria took one slow step forward without any trace of sympathy.
Her high heels clicked sharply against the uncovered hardwood floor.
She looked down at the weeping child with an icy stare.
She did not bend down to pick Lily up or check her leg.
Instead, she checked her expensive wristwatch and let out a dry sigh.
Victoria: Stop crying like that right now, Lily.
Lily: I want my mommy!
Victoria: Your mother is far too busy to care about your clumsy little drops.
Far down the hall, glass entrance doors suddenly swung open with great force.
Sarah rushed inside, her casual beige shirt wrinkled from running up the stairs.
Her eyes wide with terror, she spotted her little girl lying down.
Her heart hammered against her ribs as she sprinted toward her daughter.
Sarah: Lily!
Sarah slid onto her knees right beside the sobbing girl.
She wrapped her arms gently around Lily's small shoulders.
She lifted her up from the cold floor and held her close.
Her hands trembled as she pulled the soft hair back from Lily's face.
Sarah: I am right here, sweetheart, you are safe now.
Victoria: You really need to teach her how to walk properly, Sarah.
Sarah snapped her head up and glared directly into Victoria's eyes.
The anger inside her chest burned hotter than it ever had before.
Sarah: You just stood there and watched her trip?
Victoria: She needs to learn how to stand on her own two feet.
Sarah: She is seven years old and recovering from surgery!
Victoria adjusted her suit jacket and smiled a very tiny, cold smile.
Victoria: And you are late for the trust fund meeting upstairs.