The quiet hallways of the estate had grown colder every day since the winter began.
Young Leo stood in the center of the grand entryway holding his small leather backpack.
He looked up at the tall portraits hanging along the white walls.
His mother had chosen those paintings years ago before she passed away.
Now a sharp set of heels clicked across the marble floor toward him.
Victoria walked into the foyer wearing an expensive plum dress and a tight smile.
Victoria: Why are you still standing there like a statue, Leo?
Leo: I am waiting for my dad to come home from his trip.
Victoria: Your father is busy running a multi-million dollar corporation across the country.
Leo: He promised he would be back in time for my birthday dinner today.
Victoria: Promises mean very little in the real business world, little boy.
Leo pulled his backpack straps tighter around his small shoulders.
Leo: My dad always keeps his word to me.
Victoria let out a cold laugh that echoed through the high ceilings.
Victoria: You need to understand that things have changed in this family now.
Leo: You are not my mom, Victoria.
Victoria: No, I am the woman who controls this house now.
She took a step closer to him with her eyes narrowed into sharp slits.
Victoria: And I will not let a child stand in the way of my position.
Leo backed up until his heels touched the bottom marble step.
Leo: My dad left the house to my mother and me.
Victoria: Paperwork can be changed very easily when you have the right lawyers.
She reached out and roughly grabbed his small shoulder strap.
Victoria: Now get up to your room and stop making so much noise.
Leo pulled away from her firm grasp with tears swelling in his eyes.
Leo: Don't touch me!
From around the corner near the kitchen, a woman in a grey uniform appeared.
Clara stopped in her tracks and stared at Victoria's angry face.
Clara: Is everything alright over here, ma'am?
Victoria: Go back to the kitchen and finish your cleaning duties, Clara.
Clara: I heard raised voices coming from the main hallway.
Victoria: This is a private family matter that does not concern the household help.
Clara looked at young Leo, whose small frame was trembling near the staircase.
Clara: Leo looks upset, ma'am, and Mr. Richard asked me to keep an eye on him.
Victoria: I am his stepmother, and my word is final in this house!
Clara stayed right where she was without taking her eyes off the boy.
Clara: I am only doing what the master of the house asked me to do.
Victoria glared at Clara with pure anger in her eyes.
Victoria: You would be wise to remember who pays your salary, maid.
Clara: Mr. Richard pays my salary, ma'am, and he cares for his son deeply.
Victoria took a quick breath and smoothed down her dress with her hands.
Victoria: Just clear the dining table and stay out of my way.
Leo watched Clara hurry toward the hallway with a protective glance back at him.
He knew that his stepmother was planning something awful while his father was away.