The heavy grandfather clock in the hall chimed two times in the afternoon.
Lily was on her hands and knees wiping the polished marble tile.
Victoria watched her from the sofa while sipping her drink calmly.
Victoria: You missed a spot right near the rug.
Lily: My knees are sore, Miss Victoria.
Victoria: Do not backtalk me!
Victoria stood up and walked over to where the young girl was kneeling.
She purposefully dropped a drop of juice onto the clean white floor.
Victoria: Clean that up right now.
Lily wiped the wet spot with her dirty rag quickly.
She felt a sharp pain in her back from bending over so long.
Lily: I am so hungry, please.
Victoria: Servants do not eat until the work is finished.
Victoria had locked the kitchen pantries to keep Lily from getting food.
She wanted the young girl to feel completely helpless in her own home.
Outside the front doors, a sleek black sedan pulled quietly up the long driveway.
Alexander had finished his board meeting two hours earlier than expected.
He wanted to surprise his wife and daughter with tickets for a weekend trip.
He pulled his key from his pocket and stepped toward the massive entrance.
Inside the foyer, Victoria snatched the polishing rag out of Lily's hand.
Victoria: You are so lazy, just like your mother was!
Lily: Do not talk about my mom!
Victoria grabbed the girl by her small shoulder and pulled her upright.
Victoria: You will respect me in this house!
Lily let out a sharp cry of fear that echoed across the high ceiling.
At that exact second, the heavy double doors swung open with a loud thud.
Alexander stepped into the bright foyer holding a box of fresh pastries.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw his daughter kneeling on the floor.
His eyes caught the red marks on Lily's cheeks and her tear-stained face.
Alexander: Hey baby! What happened?!
Lily broke away from Victoria and ran toward her father as fast as she could.
Lily: Daddy! She made me do it!
Alexander dropped the pastry box onto the floor and dropped to his knees.
He wrapped his arms around his shaking child and pulled her close to his chest.
Alexander: Shh, I have got you, baby.
Victoria's face turned completely pale as she dropped her crystal glass slightly.
She tried to quickly put on her gentle smile, but her hands were trembling.
Victoria: Alexander darling, you are home early!
Alexander did not smile back; his gaze turned cold as ice.