The morning sun filtered through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of the Sterling mansion, casting long beams of bright light across the white marble floors. Victoria Sterling adjusted the lace trim on her red silk gown, looking down at her polished fingernails with a cold expression. She walked down the wide hallway as if she owned every breath of air inside the house. To her, everyone who worked in the home was simply an object to be used and discarded. She stopped near the grand staircase and called out with a sharp tone that echoed against the high plaster ceilings.
Victoria: Elena! Get over here right now!
From around the corner, a young maid in a simple black-and-white uniform hurried forward, holding a silver tray with polished cutlery. Elena was nineteen years old, soft-spoken, and worked endlessly to support her sick mother. She walked carefully because she was three months pregnant, taking every step with quiet caution. Her heart raced every time Victoria called her name because she knew the older woman enjoyed making the staff miserable. She set the tray down on a small side table and stood with her hands folded neatly in front of her dress.
Elena: Yes, Mrs. Sterling. I finished polishing the silverware just like you asked.
Victoria stepped closer, her red dress rustling loudly in the quiet hallway. She looked Elena up and down with disgust, her eyes lingering on the young maid's small belly. She raised her hand and pointed a long, manicured finger directly at Elena's face. The hatred in Victoria's eyes was cold and completely unprovoked, born from years of unchecked privilege and cruel insecurity.
Victoria: You missed a spot on the dessert spoons. You lazy little parasite, you do this on purpose to insult me.
Elena: I am so sorry, ma'am. I will clean them again right away.
Victoria: You won't be cleaning anything if I fire you today without a single penny of your pay!
Elena swallowed hard, her chest tight with fear. She needed this job to pay for her apartment rent and her upcoming medical bills. If she lost her income now, she would end up on the street with nowhere to turn. She reached out to pick up the silver tray to redo her work, but her hands were trembling so badly that the polished spoons clattered together softly. That tiny sound seemed to snap the small amount of self-control Victoria had left.
Victoria: Don't you dare touch those with your dirty hands!
Elena: I was just trying to fix it, Mrs. Sterling, please forgive me.
Victoria took two fast steps forward, her face turning red with sudden fury. Before Elena could step back or protect herself, Victoria shoved her hard in the shoulders. The force of the push was violent and unexpected. Elena lost her balance instantly on the smooth marble floor, her shoes slipping out from under her feet as a sharp cry escaped her throat. She fell backward, crashing heavily against the stone floor near a framed American flag artwork hanging on the grand wall.
Victoria: THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SERVANTS FORGET THEIR PLACE!
Elena hit the hard floor with a dull thud, her breath knocked out of her chest instantly. Pain shot through her body, and she pulled her knees up toward her chest, crying out in deep panic. She wrapped her hands around her stomach, terrified for the life growing inside her. The marble floor felt freezing cold against her skin as tears spilled over her cheeks, running down her pale face in desperate streaks.
Elena: MY BABY, PLEASE... somebody help me!
Victoria stood over her without a single trace of pity on her face. She smoothed down her red dress and tapped her high heel against the floor, looking down at the crying girl as if she were nothing more than a stain on the rug. The sound of footsteps echoed down the far corridor, but Victoria did not care who was watching her cruel display.