David parked his silver luxury car inside the quiet driveway of his large mansion.
He had spent three long weeks traveling across the country for an important business deal.
The deal was finished early, so he bought a cute toy for his seven-year-old daughter.
He smiled softly while holding the plush white teddy bear in his right hand.
The giant front doors unlocked with a soft click as he turned his heavy key.
He walked into the grand marble foyer and expected to hear happy laughter.
Instead, the only sound in the giant house was a strange sloshing noise.
David stopped in his tracks and felt a sudden chill run down his spine.
A tiny girl in denim overalls was on her knees scrubbing the bright floor.
She held a heavy sponge and wiped the cold white marble with trembling hands.
A large grey bucket full of dirty soapy water sat right beside her knees.
Tears were pouring down her pink cheeks as she wiped her sweaty forehead.
David could not believe his own eyes as he stared at the little girl.
David: Sweetheart?
The little girl flinched and dropped the heavy wet sponge into the bucket.
She wiped her wet face with her sleeve and looked up at him.
David dropped the white teddy bear straight onto the hard floor below.
The soft plush toy made a quiet thud against the clean tile surface.
He ran forward immediately and dropped down on both of his knees.
David: Lily, what are you doing on the floor like this?
Lily: I had to clean every room before sunset, Daddy.
David felt his heart break into a thousand tiny sharp glass pieces.
He wrapped his strong arms around his trembling little girl and held her tight.
David: Who told you that you had to clean the floors?
Lily: Victoria told me I have to earn my spot here.
David narrowed his dark eyes and looked toward the wide main staircase.
A tall woman in a long white silk dress stood in the archway.
She held a fine glass of red wine and looked down very coldly.
Victoria: Why are you back home so early, David?
David stood up slowly while keeping his little daughter behind his back.
David: What is the meaning of this, Victoria?
Victoria: The house was dirty, so she needed to do some chores.
David: She is seven years old and this is her home!
Victoria took a slow sip from her glass and smiled very faintly.
Victoria: She needs to learn how to work hard for her living.
David: We have a full maid staff for all of these tasks!
Victoria: I gave the maids a week off while you were away.
David clenched his hands into tight fists and stepped toward the wide archway.
David: You sent the staff away and forced my child to clean?
Victoria: It builds good character for a girl like her, David.
Lily reached out and pulled on her father's dark blue suit jacket.
Lily: Please do not yell, Daddy, I will finish the floor.
David turned back around and knelt down to comfort his frightened daughter.
David: You do not have to touch that bucket ever again.