The quiet morning inside the grand mansion was broken by the quiet sound of running water and soft whispers coming from the master bathroom. Victoria stood beside the polished vanity, her silk white robe trailing along the cold marble floor. She was a woman who had built a calm life beside her husband Arthur, a wealthy businessman who managed a massive real estate trust fund for his family. They lived in an impressive estate surrounded by rolling hills, but inside the house, small cracks were beginning to show in their everyday life. Victoria looked up into the grand mirror on the wall, seeing the bright reflection of the framed American flag hanging in the hallway just outside the door. Her mind was heavy with worries that she had kept hidden from everyone for weeks, especially regarding Brenda, the young live-in nanny they had hired six months ago to help care for Arthur's eight-year-old daughter, Lily.
Victoria turned around when she heard a tiny whimpering sound near the corner of the large room. Young Lily was sitting on the edge of the marble bench, her small body trembling slightly as Brenda stood right beside her. Victoria noticed something strange immediately. Brenda was holding a metallic lighter, clicking the small wheel over and over until a small yellow flame hissed in the air. Victoria felt her stomach drop as she saw the flame hovering dangerously close to Lily's small wrist. The little girl looked scared, her eyes wide with confusion and pain. Victoria did not hesitate for even a second. She rushed across the slippery floor, her hand reaching out to grab Brenda's wrist before the hot flame could touch the child's soft skin again. In the rush of the moment, Victoria managed to knock the lighter out of Brenda's fingers, sending the metal object clattering loudly against the white floor.
Victoria: What on earth do you think you are doing with that flame near her?
Brenda: I was just trying to fix her bracelet thread, ma'am! You scared me!
Victoria: You were holding the open flame straight against her skin! Give me that lighter right now!
Brenda backed away toward the open doorway, her face twisting into a strange look that Victoria had never seen before. Instead of looking ashamed, the nanny gasped loudly, making a deep theatrical noise that echoed across the high ceilings of the master suite. Before Victoria could grab Lily to comfort her and inspect the red mark already forming on the child's arm, heavy, rapid footsteps thundered down the hallway. The double white bathroom doors burst open with a sharp bang, swinging wide as Arthur rushed into the room. His face was pale with panic, his eyes wide as he looked between his wife, the crying child, and the frightened nanny who was already dropping to her knees on the floor.
Brenda: Thank God! She went mad and attacked me!
Arthur: What is happening in here? Why is Lily crying like this?
Brenda: Mrs. Victoria came in here screaming about the family inheritance, sir! She grabbed the lighter from my hand and held it right to little Lily's arm! I tried to stop her, but she shoved me against the vanity!
Victoria froze where she stood, her mouth opening in total horror. She looked at her husband, expecting him to see through the nanny's obvious lies. Arthur had known Victoria for years. They had signed their marriage papers in a small city chapel, promising to stand by each other through every crisis. They had survived hard financial times together before Arthur took over his father's company. Yet, as Arthur stepped closer to the marble bench and gently pulled Lily into his arms, his face changed from worry to dark, uncontrollable anger. He looked down at his daughter's arm, examining the small red mark that was rising on her skin. The sight of his hurt child seemed to push away every sweet memory he shared with his wife.
Arthur: This burn... It is fresh. Look at her arm, Victoria!
Victoria: Arthur, listen to me! I did not do that! Brenda was holding the lighter to her skin, and I pulled it away to protect her!
Brenda: That is not true! Look at the floor! She dropped the lighter after I managed to push her hand back! She threatened to get rid of both of us so she could take the whole trust fund!
Arthur stood up slowly from the marble bench. His large hand balling into a tight fist at his side. He stepped forward with fast, furious strides, crossing the distance between them before Victoria could even raise her hands to explain. In one sharp, sudden motion, Arthur raised his open hand and slapped Victoria hard across her face. The sharp sound echoed through the bathroom like a gunshot. Victoria's head snapped sideways from the force of the blow, her cheek instantly burning with a fierce, throbbing pain. She stumbled back against the cold glass shower door, holding her red face in complete and absolute shock. She looked at the man she loved, but his eyes held only cold, terrifying rage.
Arthur: Don't you ever touch her again!