The morning sun shone bright across the golden halls of the estate.
Elena walked slowly down the long silent hallway carrying fresh white towels.
She had worked as a housemaid for the wealthy family for three years.
She loved little Lily like her own younger sister.
The seven-year-old child had lost her sweet mother just five months ago.
Ever since that tragic day, the grand mansion felt cold and lonely.
Mark was a hardworking father who spent long hours at his corporate firm.
He tried his best to provide comfort for his grieving young daughter.
Then Victoria entered their lives three months after the tragic loss.
She was a wealthy woman who loved designer clothes and high status.
Mark thought Victoria would bring warm maternal care back into his household.
He quickly offered her a place in his massive city penthouse.
Elena never trusted Victoria's sudden appearance or her overly sweet smiles.
She saw how Victoria glared at Lily whenever Mark turned his back.
The stepmother treated the little girl like an annoying piece of trash.
Elena carefully adjusted the folded linen in her tired arms.
She stopped abruptly near the heavy double doors of the master suite.
A strange muffled sob rang through the quiet polished corridor.
Elena felt her heart drop as she recognized the child's soft voice.
She moved closer to the thick wooden door to listen carefully.
Elena: Lily, sweetie, are you in there?
No one answered her gentle question from inside the bright suite.
Instead, a harsh sharp scream rang out through the marble room.
Victoria: Stop crying and hold your head completely still!
Elena placed her hand against the golden metal brass door handle.
Her palms were sweating as the loud crying grew much louder.
She knew that Mark was away at an important legal meeting.
He was signing papers regarding his late wife's huge estate fund.
Victoria was left completely alone with the helpless little girl today.
Elena took a deep nervous breath and tightened her shaking hands.
She refused to turn away while a child was in distress.