Julian stepped through the heavy front doors of the sprawling estate.
The bright morning sunlight poured through the floor to ceiling windows.
He carried his single suitcase in one hand after months overseas.
His work with the global firm had kept him away far too long.
He missed his home and he missed his quiet young bride.
The main foyer felt strangely cold despite the brilliant warm daylight.
An American flag hung proudly along the tall white back wall.
Julian lowered his suitcase onto the polished white marble floor.
He heard the harsh sound of plastic scraping against stone nearby.
A woman in a cheap grey uniform was scrubbing the tile floor.
Her hands looked red and chapped from the strong bucket chemicals.
Julian felt a sudden knot form deep inside his chest.
The family usually hired a professional crew for the large mansion.
The woman kept her head down low toward the soapy bucket.
She moved slowly as if every motion caused her great pain.
Julian stepped closer to ask where his family had gone today.
The maid flinched hard before he could even utter a word.
Maid: I am sorry, sir!
Her voice sounded small and completely broken by deep fear.
Julian stopped in his tracks and stared at her thin posture.
Something about the tone of her voice made his heart stop.
He took one step toward the woman on the cold floor.
The bright light caught the side of her delicate bruised face.
Julian stared down as his mind struggled to process the sight.
Julian: Elena?
The small woman gasped softly without lifting her weary eyes up.