The grand estate sat high on the hill above the town.
Cold marble floors ran through every single hallway of the home.
Dark wooden bookshelves lined the massive walls of the main library.
Adrian lived in the quiet mansion after his late wife passed away.
He hired Clara to keep the large estate clean and organized.
Clara was a kind woman who worked hard every single day.
Her young daughter Lily often stayed quiet in the side room.
Lily was only four years old and loved her gentle mother.
She wore tiny yellow gloves to help her mom sweep the floor.
Victoria was Adrian's new fiancée who had recently moved inside.
She wore expensive red silk dresses and walked with strict posture.
Victoria disliked the house staff and wanted total control over everything.
She constantly complained about Clara to Adrian during their evening meals.
Victoria: That maid is far too slow at her job.
Adrian: Clara works harder than anyone we have ever hired.
Victoria: She lets her little child run free in our house.
Adrian: Lily is just a quiet girl who stays out of sight.
Victoria folded her arms and looked away with a bitter frown.
She wanted Clara gone so she could hire her own staff.
One afternoon, Adrian left the house for an important business meeting.
Victoria walked into the library and saw little Lily on her knees.
The toddler was wiping dust near the bottom of a cabinet.
Victoria locked the heavy wooden doors behind her with a click.
She walked up to the small girl with sharp, heavy footsteps.
Victoria: What are you doing near that wall right now?
Lily: I am just wiping the floor like my mommy showed me.
Victoria: You were looking at things you should not see.
Lily shrank back against the bookcase and held her sponge tight.
Victoria grabbed the cleaning bucket and kicked it across the room.
Soapy water spilled across the polished floor in a wet mess.
Victoria: Clean this up before I toss your mother out today.
Lily: Please do not fire my mommy, lady!
Lily began to scrub the wet marble with her small hands.
Her eyes were full of tears as she worked in silence.
She had noticed something unusual behind the low metal grate earlier.
Victoria had shoved a heavy leather folder into the floor vent.
The little girl did not know what the papers inside meant.
She only knew that Victoria looked terrified when she hid them.
Victoria grabbed Lily by her small shoulder and pulled her up.
Victoria: If you say a word, you both leave with nothing.
Lily nodded quickly because she was afraid for her poor mother.
She wiped her wet cheeks with the back of her glove.
Victoria stood over her with a cold look in her eyes.
The clock on the library wall ticked loudly in the room.