The morning light poured through the tall glass windows of the grand foyer.
David stood near the main entrance while holding his briefcase tightly in his hand.
He was a busy business executive who spent long hours working at his company.
His young daughter Lily was playing quietly with her favorite soft purple bear on the marble floor.
Her stepmother Elena walked down the wide curved staircase wearing a fine navy velvet dress.
Elena had married David two years ago after meeting him at a charity gala event.
She always acted like a kind mother whenever David was standing nearby in the room.
When David left for the office, her voice became cold and harsh toward young Lily.
Lily knew that her stepmother did not really love her or want her around.
The young girl missed her biological mother who had passed away three years ago.
David checked his shiny silver watch and adjusted the collar of his suit jacket.
David: I have an important meeting with our corporate lawyer this morning.
Elena: Do not worry about a single thing at home today, my dear husband.
David: Please make sure Lily finishes her lunch before her private tutor arrives.
Elena: I will personally take great care of her all afternoon long.
David smiled softly and kissed his small daughter gently on her forehead.
David: Be a good girl for Elena while daddy is away at work.
Lily: I will try my best, daddy.
David closed the heavy wooden doors and walked out toward his luxury sedan car.
The moment the front door clicked shut, Elena turned around with a angry face.
She snapped her fingers loudly at the small child sitting on the cold floor.
Elena: Put that dirty stuffed animal away and go directly up to your bedroom!
Lily: But daddy said I could play in the living room today.
Elena: I do not care what your father told you five minutes ago!
Elena grabbed the young girl by her arm and pulled her across the slick tile.
Lily gasped in pain and tried to pull her slender arm away from Elena.
Lily: You are hurting my arm, please let go of me!
Elena: Shut up and listen to me right now!
Elena grabbed the child's soft hair to force her to look straight up.
Lily began to cry hysterically while clutching her head with her small hands.
She had never seen her stepmother look so scary and furious before this moment.
Suddenly the heavy front wooden doors burst open with a loud thud.
David stepped into the foyer because he had forgotten his red legal folder inside.
His eyes opened wide in shock when he saw what was happening on the floor.
David: Hey, get your hands off her right now!
David rushed across the large room and pushed Elena away from his young daughter.
Elena stumbled backward against the wooden table and caught her breath in total shock.
David knelt down instantly and pulled his shaking daughter into a firm embrace.
David: Are you okay, sweetheart?
Lily: Daddy, she pulled my hair and yelled at me!
David raised his head and glared at his new wife with absolute fury.
David: If you ever touch my daughter again, you will regret it deeply!
Elena adjusted her navy velvet dress and tried to calm her frantic breathing.
Elena: She was trying to steal something from my private bedroom drawer!
David: She is seven years old, Elena!