David pulled his dark grey sedan into the quiet paved driveway of his estate.
The sun was still high in the bright afternoon sky as he parked near the front steps.
He had ended his corporate board meeting three hours ahead of his original schedule.
All he wanted was to surprise his young daughter Lily with her favorite fruit pastry.
David picked up his heavy leather briefcase from the passenger seat beside him.
He stepped out into the cool air and walked up the front steps of the mansion.
The heavy oak doors opened quietly as he stepped into the marble foyer.
A strange, unsettling silence hung over the sprawling hallways of the grand house.
Usually, ten-year-old Lily would be sitting in the sunroom playing her wooden violin.
Instead, David heard the faint sound of soft sobbing coming from near the stairs.
He set his briefcase down carefully against the side of the entrance table.
His polished shoes made heavy footsteps as he walked toward the main hall.
The bright daylight washed through the tall glass windows, illuminating the glossy white floor.
David stopped dead in his tracks as his breath caught deep in his throat.
A small girl was kneeling on the cold marble surface with a scrub brush.
She was wearing an oversized gray maid uniform that trailed loosely across the ground.
Her small hands were bright red from dipping a rag into cold bucket water.
David felt his heart drop into his stomach as he recognized the golden hair.
David: Lily? What are you doing down there on the floor?
The little girl flinched violently at the sound of her father's deep voice.
She looked up slowly, her face streaked with dirt and fresh hot tears.
Lily: Dad... you were not supposed to be back until six o'clock today.
David dropped straight to his knees beside his daughter on the hard stone.
He wrapped his warm arms around her tiny shaking shoulders and pulled her close.
David: Who put this ugly uniform on you, sweetie? Tell me right now.
Lily pressed her wet cheek against his tailored suit jacket and began to sob.
Lily: Stepmother said I had to pay for my keep in this house.
David felt a surge of cold fury rush straight through his chest.
His knuckles turned white as he gripped his briefcase handle until the leather creaked.
He stood up slowly and helped his daughter stand up on her feet.
David: You are never scrubbing another floor in this house ever again.
Before Lily could answer, a smooth voice echoed down from the top staircase.
Victoria appeared at the landing, wearing a wine-red silk dress and holding a glass.
She took a slow sip of her drink and looked down at them with a smug smile.
Victoria: Darling, you are home early. I was not expecting you until late tonight.