The bright lights of the grand banquet hall reflected off the polished marble floor.
Elena adjusted her white apron with cold, trembling hands.
She had worked for the Sterling family for only three weeks.
The pay was modest, but she needed every single dollar to survive.
Every morning she arrived before sunrise to clean the massive estate.
She kept her head down and never spoke unless spoken to.
That afternoon, the estate was host to an expensive charity lunch.
Wealthy guests walked through the halls in designer clothes.
Elena stood near the edge of the dining room with a tray.
She watched the people laugh and chat without a care.
Suddenly, a little girl ran out from behind a silk curtain.
The child was about three years old and wore a beige dress.
She looked around the massive room with big, frightened blue eyes.
The little girl did not run toward the dressed-up guests.
Instead, she ran straight toward Elena by the service door.
Elena dropped her tray slightly in complete surprise.
The little girl threw her small arms around Elena's knees.
She buried her face into the fabric of Elena's apron.
Little Girl: Mommy! Mommy!
Elena froze in place as a wave of emotion hit her chest.
She looked down at the child clinging tightly to her legs.
The little girl smelled like sweet vanilla and baby powder.
Elena felt her heart ache with a deep, familiar pain.
Four years ago, Elena had lost her own newborn baby girl.
The hospital had told her the baby did not survive the birth.
She had spent years grieving that terrible loss in silence.
Hearing a child call her mother made her eyes fill with tears.
Elena knelt down gently to match the little girl's height.
Elena: Sweetheart, I am not your mommy.
Little Girl: Mommy, stay with me!
The little girl held onto the apron even tighter with both hands.
Elena reached out and stroked the child's soft hair.
A woman's harsh voice suddenly echoed across the silent room.
Victoria: Get your filthy hands off my daughter!
Elena looked up quickly as heavy footsteps approached.
Victoria Sterling came marching across the marble floor.
She was wearing a silk evening gown and heavy diamond rings.
Her face was twisted with pure disgust and anger.
Elena stood up immediately and bowed her head in fear.
Elena: I am so sorry, ma'am, she ran to me.
Victoria: Get out of here right now! Leave!
Victoria grabbed the little girl's arm with a sharp pull.
The little girl began to cry loudly in distress.
Little Girl: Don't leave me, Mommy!
The child refused to let go of Elena's white apron.
Victoria's face turned red with anger in front of her guests.
She raised her hand high into the bright air.
Elena shut her eyes tight and braced for the blow.