The morning light poured through the tall windows of the grand estate.
Elena wiped down the polished wooden banister with a soft cotton cloth.
Her hands worked quickly because she knew the mistress demanded absolute perfection.
Victoria stepped into the hallway wearing an expensive beige silk gown.
Her high heels clicked sharply against the shiny marble floor.
She stopped right in front of Elena with a cold look.
Victoria: You missed a spot on the lower railing, maid.
Elena: I am so sorry, ma'am, I will clean it again right away.
Victoria: You should have gotten it right the very first time.
Elena dropped to her knees immediately to scrub the wood higher up.
She kept her eyes lowered to avoid making direct eye contact.
Victoria tossed a heavy leather belt onto the floor right beside her.
Victoria: Clean my designer leather shoes until they shine completely.
Elena: Yes, ma'am, I will do that right now.
Elena reached out her trembling hand to grab the shoe polish.
She could feel Victoria standing over her like a dark cloud.
The estate had felt cold and unwelcoming ever since she started working there.
Her low salary barely covered the monthly rent on her small apartment.
She needed this job to pay for her younger brother's school tuition.
So she took a deep breath and tried to stay quiet.
Victoria: Move faster, you slow and useless girl!
Elena: I am moving as fast as I can, Mrs. Vance.
Victoria: Do not speak back to me with that disrespectful tone!
Victoria raised her hand high in the air in pure anger.
Elena flinched and pulled her head down to protect herself.
She braced for a harsh insult or a sudden harsh gesture.
The silence in the grand hallway grew heavy and dangerous.
Elena prayed silently that someone would enter the large room.
Her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird.
Every single day in this house felt like a nightmare.
Yet she had nowhere else to turn for daily work.
She held the shoe brush tightly in her small right hand.
Victoria took a step closer with a bitter scowl on her face.
Victoria: You think you are better than everyone else here!
Elena: No, ma'am, I just want to do my job.
Victoria: Then act like a proper servant in my house!
The atmosphere inside the mansion was filled with dark tension.
Elena kept scrubbing the leather shoe with all her strength.
She wished she could vanish into the floorboards right then.
The luxury around her only made her feel more isolated.
Huge gold frames hung on the pristine white walls.
An American flag hung gracefully near the sweeping grand staircase.
Everything looked beautiful, but the home lacked any real warmth.
Victoria sneered as she watched the young maid work continuously.
She seemed to enjoy exerting power over the poor worker.
Elena wiped a stray tear from her cheek before anyone noticed.
She promised herself she would stay strong for her young brother.
No matter how cruel Victoria became, she had to endure it.
The ticking of the tall grandfather clock echoed down the hall.
Seconds felt like long painful hours under that glare.
Elena finished polishing the first shoe with great care.
She set it down gently on the gleaming marble floor.
Elena: Here is the first shoe, Mrs. Vance.
Victoria: It still looks dull and full of dirt!
Elena: I can rub it again with more polish.
Victoria: You are completely incompetent at basic tasks!
Victoria raised her hand again to point her finger angrily.
Her harsh voice echoed off the high ceiling of the hall.
Elena closed her eyes tight and tried to stay calm.
She waited for the wave of harsh words to finish.
Footsteps echoed from the far end of the long corridor.
Someone was approaching the main hallway with fast steps.
Elena hoped it was a friendly face from the staff.
Victoria turned her head slightly to see who was coming.
Her cold expression shifted into a fake pleasant smile instantly.