Sarah pulled her car into the long driveway of the Dallas mansion.
The sun reflected off the large glass windows of the grand estate.
She looked in the rearview mirror at her little seven-year-old daughter Lily.
Lily was smiling as she adjusted the small white pearl necklace around her neck.
The necklace was a gift from her late grandfather before he passed away.
Sarah breathed out a long sigh as she parked the sleek luxury vehicle.
She knew coming back to her mother's house was going to be difficult.
Victoria Vance was a harsh woman who cared only about money and status.
She had never accepted Sarah's marriage or her granddaughter Lily.
Sarah unbuckled her seatbelt and turned around to face her young child.
She wanted to make sure Lily felt safe before they walked inside.
Sarah: Remember to stay near me today, sweetie.
Lily: I will, Mommy.
Sarah: You look very pretty with your grandfather's necklace.
Lily: I love it so much.
Sarah smiled gently and squeezed her daughter's tiny hand.
She stepped out of the car and helped Lily onto the concrete walkway.
The heavy oak double doors of the mansion stood tall and cold before them.
Sarah knocked on the heavy brass door handle with a nervous heart.
The maid opened the door and gave a warm smile to the small family.
Sarah walked inside the grand foyer while holding Lily's small hand tightly.
The shiny marble floor stretched out toward the massive curved staircase.
Sarah: Please stay right here while I grab my purse from the trunk.
Lily: Okay, Mommy, I will wait on the stairs.
Sarah turned around and walked back out toward the driveway quickly.
Lily skipped toward the bottom steps of the polished staircase happily.
She sat down on the second step and smoothed her simple blue dress.
Suddenly, the sound of sharp high heels echoed down from above.
Victoria Vance stepped onto the top landing wearing a dark tailored outfit.
Her blonde hair was pulled back into a tight and flawless bun.
Her cold blue eyes locked right onto the child sitting below her.
She spotted the shimmering white pearl necklace around Lily's neck immediately.
Her face twisted into an expression of pure disgust and cold anger.
Victoria: Where did you get that jewelry, child?
Lily: Grandpa gave it to me last year.
Victoria: That belonged to my family line, not to you.
Victoria marched down the marble steps with a pair of silver scissors.
Lily froze on the step as her grandmother loomed right over her.
Victoria: You do not deserve to wear these!
Victoria reached down and shoved the blades beneath the silk thread.
With a loud snip, the string snapped in two pieces instantly.
The smooth white pearls bounded down the marble steps like heavy raindrops.
They clinked against the hard floor and rolled into every dark corner.
Lily covered her face with her hands and began to cry loudly.
Lily: Please stop it!
Victoria stared down at the weeping girl without a single trace of emotion.
She held the snip of empty string in her thin gloved fingers.
Just then, the front doors flew open with a sudden loud bang.
Sarah ran back into the foyer and saw her daughter on the floor.
Sarah: No! My baby!