The bright sun shone through the tall windows of the grand mansion.
Ten-year-old Lily stood in the middle of the white marble foyer.
She wore a simple green dress that belonged to her late mother.
Her heart beat very fast as the front doors opened wider.
Her father had gone out of town for an important business trip.
Her step-grandmother Evelyn walked down the curved staircase with high heels clicking.
Evelyn was a wealthy woman who loved money more than anything else.
She always glared at young Lily whenever her father was away.
Evelyn: You do not belong in this family, little girl.
Lily: My dad said this is my home too.
Evelyn: Your dad is foolish and blind to your trickery.
Lily stepped back toward the shiny wooden railing near the stairs.
She held her small hands together behind her green silk skirt.
Evelyn pointed a long finger right at the little girl's chest.
Evelyn: Where is my diamond heirloom that was on the dresser?
Lily: I never touched your dresser or went near your room.
Evelyn: You are lying just like your mother used to do!
Evelyn reached into Lily's pocket and pulled out a shining necklace.
Lily gasped because she had never seen that diamond piece before.
The bright diamonds glittered under the clear overhead lights of the foyer.
Lily: I do not know how that got into my pocket!
Evelyn: Search her! Honest people have nothing to hide!
Evelyn grabbed the silver chain with her strong cold hands forcefully.
She pulled the diamond band off Lily's small neck without care.
The clasp broke with a loud snap that echoed through the hall.
Lily stumbled back against the grand railing from the sharp tug.
Her foot slipped off the top edge of the marble landing.
Lily: Help me! I am falling!
Evelyn did not reach out her hand to save the child.
She just watched with cold dark eyes as Lily lost balance.
The string of pearls on her dress tore loose instantly.
Shiny white pearls scattered everywhere across the grand staircase steps.
Lily screamed out in absolute terror as she slipped downward fast.
The cold breeze rushed past her face as she tumbled down.
She thought nobody was there to catch her in time.
Her small hands reached out into the empty bright air frantically.