The bright morning sun streamed through the high glass windows of the Vance estate.
Marble floors stretched across the grand foyer like a frozen lake of pure white stone.
Sarah held the mop handle tightly, her fingers pale and trembling against the cold metal.
She dropped to her knees, dipping the rag into the bucket of soapy water.
Every single movement sent a sharp wave of pain straight through her bruised arms.
Red scratch marks lined her fair skin, hiding beneath the edge of her simple uniform sleeve.
She wiped the floor with small, steady motions, trying hard not to make a sound.
Tears welled up in her blue eyes and spilled down her porcelain cheeks.
She had worked for the wealthy family for less than three whole months.
In the beginning, the job had seemed like an absolute dream come true for her.
The pay was generous enough to help cover her mother's growing medical bills back home.
But the vast luxury mansion held dark corners that light could never quite reach.
Sarah pulled her sleeve lower, trying desperately to cover the dark purple marks on her wrist.
She heard footsteps echoing down the distant hallway and quickly held her breath.
Her heart pounded wildly inside her chest like a trapped bird beating its wings.
She wiped away a stray tear with the back of her damp hand.
If anyone caught her crying, things would only get much worse for her today.
She leaned forward to scrub a tough spot near the grand spiral staircase.
A soft gasp escaped her lips as her sore muscles protested the sudden strain.
She forced herself to stay quiet, biting down hard on her lower lip.
The heavy house smelled like fresh lavender polish and cold, expensive air.
To anyone outside, this house was a palace of perfect elegance and endless fortune.
To Sarah, it felt more like a cage where she had to walk on glass every day.
She rinsed the dirty rag in the bucket, watching the water swirl around.
Her mother always told her that hard work would eventually bring good things.
Right now, Sarah found it very hard to believe those gentle words anymore.
She squeezed her eyes shut, whispering a quick prayer for the strength to finish.
The estate was quiet, but the silence felt heavy and dangerous around her.
She kept mopping, counting every second until her morning shift would finally end.
Then the massive front doors of the mansion suddenly burst open with a loud thud.