The high penthouse dining room looked bright under the morning sun.
Light filled the huge glass windows overlooking the busy city below.
A large American flag hung proudly on the clean white wall.
Julian adjusted his silk tie as he sat at the long wooden table.
He was a self-made businessman who built his company from nothing.
Across from him sat Victoria in a tailored red designer dress.
She checked her gold watch and checked her phone screen with a frown.
Julian watched her silent impatience and felt a cold distance growing between them.
They had been married for two years, but things felt different lately.
Victoria enjoyed the high status and constant shopping trips in the city.
She rarely asked Julian about his long work hours at the office.
Instead, she spent her days organizing social galas and expensive dinner parties.
Julian remembered how simple his own life used to be years ago.
He grew up in a humble home with very little spare money.
His parents taught him to treat every working person with deep respect.
That was why he hired Sarah as his full-time housekeeper last year.
Sarah was a hardworking single mother raising her four-year-old daughter, Lily.
Julian gave Sarah a fair wage and a safe place to stay.
Sarah worked hard every morning to keep the big home clean and quiet.
She always served meals on time and spoke with gentle kindness.
Victoria, however, rarely acknowledged Sarah when she walked past her.
She acted as if Sarah was invisible in the massive high-rise home.
Julian often reminded Victoria to speak kindly to the house staff.
Victoria usually nodded with a fake smile whenever Julian brought it up.
On this bright morning, the table was set with fine silver cutlery.
Sarah stepped out of the kitchen carrying a warm tray of breakfast pastries.
She laid the tray down quietly between the silver coffee pot and cream.
Sarah: Good morning, Mr. Julian.
Sarah: I prepared fresh juice and toast for you both today.
Julian: Thank you very much, Sarah.
Julian: Everything looks absolutely wonderful as always.
Sarah offered a polite smile and turned back toward the kitchen doorway.
Victoria did not even look up from her bright smartphone screen.
She took a tiny sip of her black coffee and sighed loudly.
Victoria: This coffee is slightly cooler than I requested, Sarah.
Victoria: Try to pay closer attention next time you serve us.
Sarah paused at the kitchen door and bowed her head quickly.
Sarah: I will make a fresh pot right away, ma'am.
Julian: The coffee is perfectly fine, Victoria.
Julian: You do not need to speak to her like that.
Victoria rolled her eyes and rested her chin on her hand.
Victoria: I just expect proper service in our own home, Julian.
Victoria: Is that really too much to ask from our paid staff?
Julian placed his cloth napkin onto the white table with a firm click.
He looked across at his wife with serious eyes and quiet disappointment.
Before he could reply, a soft sound came from the hallway nearby.
A tiny little girl stepped slowly out from behind the doorframe.
It was four-year-old Lily, holding her worn brown teddy bear tightly.
She wore a simple blue dress and small white cotton socks.
Her big round eyes looked wide as she stared at the giant table.
Julian felt his heart warm instantly at the sight of the sweet child.
Lily took two tiny steps forward into the sunny dining room.
She looked up at the large table covered in tasty morning breakfast food.
She gripped her soft teddy bear closer against her small chest.
Julian smiled gently and set down his crystal water glass on the table.
Victoria turned her head slowly and spotted the tiny child standing there.
Her eyebrows pulled together into a sudden look of utter annoyance.
The quiet room suddenly felt heavy with an uncomfortable tension building up.