Sarah helped Lily sit comfortably on a soft bench near the corner window.
She wiped the hot tears off her daughter's pale freckled cheeks.
Her heart still hurt from seeing her child on the floor like that.
Victoria stood nearby, tapping her foot against the polished floorboards.
She held a thick leather binder tightly under her right arm.
That binder contained the legal trust left behind by their late father.
Their father had built a massive real estate company over forty long years.
When he passed away, his entire estate was placed into a family trust.
The inheritance was meant to support both sisters and little Lily.
However, Victoria had managed to appoint herself as the main trustee.
She controlled every single dollar that went into paying Lily's medical bills.
Sarah: We need to talk about the approval for Lily's physical therapy.
Victoria: The board has decided that extra therapy is an unnecessary expense.
Sarah: The doctor specifically said she needs it to walk normally again!
Victoria: Doctors always ask for more than what is truly required.
Sarah took a deep breath to steady her shaking voice.
She could not afford to lose her temper inside the central office building.
Victoria held all the political and financial power in the family business.
If Sarah made one wrong move, Victoria could cut off their allowance entirely.
Sarah: My father left that trust money specifically to protect Lily's future.
Victoria: Father left me in charge because he knew you were too soft.
Lily: Mommy, I want to go home now.
Sarah: Just give us a minute, my sweet girl.
Sarah stood up and stepped closer to her older sister.
She kept her voice low so Lily would not hear the anger.
Sarah: I know what you are doing, Victoria.
Victoria: Oh, do you really think you know, dear sister?
Sarah: You are trying to drain the funds before Lily turns eight.
Victoria did not blink, nor did her confident posture falter.
She simply leaned in closer to Sarah's face.
Victoria: Prove it if you think you can, Sarah.
Sarah: I will hire a lawyer to review every line of the estate.
Victoria: With what money, Sarah? You do not have a cent of your own.
The harsh truth of those words hit Sarah right in the chest.
She had given up her job to take care of Lily full-time.
She relied entirely on the monthly trust distributions that Victoria controlled.
Victoria smiled, satisfied that she had won another brief argument.
She turned on her high heels and walked toward the boardroom doors.
Victoria: The board meeting starts in five minutes, do not be late.
Sarah looked back at Lily, who was clutching a small teddy bear.
She knew she could not surrender to Victoria's cruel games.
There had to be a way to save her daughter's medical fund.