Elena walked slowly up the winding driveway toward the giant white mansion.
She adjusted her crisp black apron and took a deep, nervous breath.
This job was her only chance to earn enough money for her younger brother.
The massive front doors opened before she even had time to knock on the wood.
A stern older butler named Thomas greeted her with a cold nod of his head.
Thomas: You must be Elena, the new housemaid hired for the summer season.
Elena: Yes, sir, I am ready to start working right away.
Thomas led her through the grand entryway lined with gold frames and crystal chandeliers.
Thomas: Mr. Richard Sterling demands absolute perfection from everyone who works in this estate.
Elena: I understand, and I promise to work as hard as I can every day.
They stepped out onto the wide back patio overlooking a huge blue swimming pool.
A wealthy woman in a designer beige dress sat at a long glass table drinking tea.
This was Evelyn Sterling, the young stepmother who had recently married into the family wealth.
Beside her sat a shiny stroller holding a little baby girl named baby Lily.
Evelyn: So this is the new girl from the local agency downtown?
Thomas: Yes, Mrs. Sterling, this is Elena, and her background check is totally clean.
Evelyn looked Elena up and down with obvious disdain in her sharp brown eyes.
Evelyn: Make sure she stays away from my husband when he gets home from work.
Elena: I am only here to clean and help take care of little Lily, ma'am.
Evelyn stood up slowly and placed her hands firmly on her slender hips.
Evelyn: Do not speak unless you are spoken to directly by me or my husband.
Elena bowed her head respectfully, choosing not to make any further trouble on day one.
She watched as Evelyn carelessly walked past the stroller without checking on the sleeping baby.
Elena immediately walked over to check if the child was comfortable under the shade umbrella.
Baby Lily opened her bright eyes and gave the young maid a gentle little smile.
Elena smiled back warmly, feeling an instant protective instinct inside her heart for this child.
She noticed that the stroller brakes were not locked properly near the sloped concrete ground.
Elena quietly pushed the small silver latch down to keep the wheels completely safe and motionless.
She wondered why the child's mother seemed so cold and distant toward her own daughter.
Later that afternoon, Richard Sterling arrived home carrying a bulky leather briefcase in his hand.
He was a powerful CEO who managed a massive real estate investment firm in the city.
Richard: Good afternoon, Elena, I hope my wife gave you a proper welcome today.
Elena: Yes, Mr. Sterling, everything is going very well with my duties so far.
Richard looked at his small daughter with deep affection visible in his tired blue eyes.
Richard: Lily is my entire world after her biological mother passed away two years ago.
Elena nodded sympathetically, understanding the heavy grief he was still carrying inside his heart.
She realized that Evelyn was actually a stepmother who had married Richard only last year.
That explained why Evelyn treated the sweet little baby like a simple burden or annoyance.
Elena swore to herself that she would watch over the sweet child every single minute.
She carried the warm laundry basket inside as the sun began setting over the grand trees.
Little did she know that a cruel plot was already forming inside the stepmother's mind.