The polished marble floor of the Vance estate mirrored the cold, towering pillars of the grand foyer, where an American flag hung silently against the wall.
A screams broke the quiet house as Victoria, wrapped in a sweeping plum purple silk gown, dug her fingers into two-year-old Toby’s wrist.
Victoria: Stop thrashing around, you miserable little brat!
Toby: Mommy, no! It hurts! It hurts!
Victoria: I told you to shut up! You are going to listen to me for once!
She jerked the child forward, dragging his tiny feet across the slick floor without an ounce of pity.
From the side corridor, Nora swept past the door, her knees nearly giving out as she saw the toddler’s twisted arm.
Nora: Stop it, please! You're breaking his arm!
Victoria: Mind your own business, maid! Get back to the kitchen!
Nora: I won't let you hurt him!
Nora sprinted across the foyer in her pastel yellow uniform, throwing her body onto the hard floor to catch the toddler before he hit the marble.
Toby: Nora! Nora, hold me!
Nora: I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you. Shh, don't cry.
She pulled the trembling child against her chest, her hands shaking as she glared up at the woman standing over them.
Victoria: You dare touch my stepson, you filthy servant?
Nora: He is a baby! You're abusing him!
Victoria: I am the mistress of this house, and I can discipline him however I see fit!
Before Victoria could take another step toward them, the heavy front doors crashed open, revealing Richard Vance standing in his black coat with a face twisted in rage.
Richard: Get your hands off him!
Victoria: Richard! You're home early...
Richard: What were you doing to my son?!
Richard charged across the marble floor, his boots booming through the vast space as Victoria backed away toward the curved staircase.
Victoria: Richard, wait, let me explain! He was throwing a tantrum!
Richard: I saw what you did!
He reached her in two long strides, his right hand swinging around to deliver a sharp, ringing slap across her face.
Victoria: Ah! Richard, stop!
Richard: That's for laying a hand on my child!
He hit her a second time, the force spinning her back against the wrought-iron railing of the stairs as she clutched her red cheek in utter shock.
Victoria: You slapped me?! For a maid and a useless kid?!
Richard: You do not give orders in this house anymore!
He stooped down to the marble floor, his leather gloves closing around a tiny black recording device that had fallen from her pocket during the struggle, its red light blinking silently.