The morning sun poured through the high glass windows of the grand estate, lighting up every corner of the huge white marble bathroom. Outside, guests were arriving for the most expensive wedding of the season. Julian stood in his bedroom across the hall, adjusting his black silk tie in the mirror. He was supposed to be happy today. His father was getting married to Victoria, a beautiful woman who claimed to love their family. But deep down, Julian always felt something was wrong with her. She smiled too much with her lips, but her eyes remained completely cold. Julian heard a quiet sob coming from down the hall. It was soft, but it carried a sharp pain that made him stop moving completely.
He stepped out into the bright hallway and walked slowly toward the master suite. The sound of crying was getting louder, coming directly from the master bathroom. As he reached the open doorway, his heart dropped into his stomach. The bright sunlight illuminated a terrible scene inside the white marble room. Victoria was standing in her long white silk robe, holding a glowing red lighter in her hand. Her face was twisted into a cruel snarl that Julian had never seen before. Pressed against the glass shower wall was his nine-year-old sister, Lily, trembling in absolute fear. Standing right behind Lily was Clara, their elderly maid who had raised Julian and Lily since their mother passed away.
Victoria: You need to learn your place in this house, you little brat!
Lily: Please, Victoria! I am sorry! It hurts so bad!
Clara: Stop it right now! She is just a child!
Julian watched in absolute terror as Victoria pressed the hot metal head of the lighter straight into Lily's bare forearm. Lily screamed out in agony, a sound that cut through the silence of the large house like a sharp blade. Clara tried to reach forward to protect the little girl, but Victoria pushed the old woman back with her elbow. The smell of singed skin filled the bright, air-conditioned room. Victoria let go of the lighter, letting the red plastic tool clatter loudly onto the polished marble floor. She turned around to smooth her silk robe, completely unbothered by the horror she had just caused to a innocent child.
Julian stepped into the room, his black leather shoes making heavy echoes against the marble. His face was completely pale, but his chest was burning with a rage he had never felt before in his entire life. The sight of his helpless little sister clutching her red, blistered arm made his blood run cold. Victoria turned around quickly, her eyes widening in momentary shock when she saw Julian standing in the doorway. But she immediately changed her expression, putting on a face of extreme terror and crying fake tears.
Victoria: Oh Julian! Thank God you are here! She went crazy, she attacked me!
Julian: Do not take another step toward me.
Victoria: You have to believe me! That crazy old maid turned your sister against me!
Clara: God is watching you, Victoria! You are a monster!
Julian ignored Victoria completely and dropped down onto his knees beside Lily and Clara. The bright natural light coming through the skylight highlighted the fresh burn mark on Lily's tender skin. The little girl was sobbing hysterically, burying her face into Clara's gray maid uniform. Julian reached out with trembling hands and gently held Lily's wrist, careful not to touch the angry red wound. Tears welled up in his own eyes as he felt his sister shaking uncontrollably. Clara put her withered hand over Julian's shoulder, her fingers tightening in shared grief and outrage.
Julian: Are you both okay? Lily, look at me, sweetie.
Lily: It burns, Julian! She said I do not belong here anymore!
Julian: Shh, it is over now. I promise you, nobody is ever going to hurt you again.
Julian slowly raised his head, looking up at the woman who was supposed to become his stepmother in less than two hours. His eyes were burning with pure fury. Victoria stood under the framed American flag on the bathroom wall, trying to pull her silk robe tight around her body. She looked at Julian's dark expression and suddenly realized that her fake tears were not working anymore. The room fell into a heavy, suffocating silence that made the luxury mansion feel like a cold prison cell.