The morning sun cut through the heavy gray clouds over the sprawling suburban estate.
Victoria stood near the marble fountain and adjusted the sleeves of her tailored blue gown.
She knew that entering her late husband's former house meant facing his bitter mother.
Eleanor had taken control of the main house the moment the funeral ended.
Victoria took a deep breath to calm her racing heart.
She needed to find her young daughter before Eleanor caused any more trouble.
Victoria: Maya, where are you hiding sweetheart?
Her voice echoed off the high stone walls of the courtyard without an answer.
She walked briskly toward the large glass doors leading into the main sunroom.
The silence across the sweeping back yard felt far too heavy and unnatural.
She noticed a heavy lock had been pulled shut from the inside.
Victoria pressed her face against the clear glass pane to look inside.
She saw a shadow moving quickly near the wooden desk in the corner.
Victoria: Open this door right now, Eleanor!
Her hands slammed against the thick glass frame as hard as she could.
Inside the room, Eleanor turned her head slowly with a cold sneer.
The older blonde woman was holding a heavy roll of gray packing tape.
She looked down at little Maya sitting frightened in a tall chair.
Eleanor: You will not ruin our family peace today, child.
Maya pulled back against the carved mahogany chair legs in deep fear.
Maya: My mom is coming for me right now!
Eleanor: Your mother does not hold any power in this mansion anymore.
Eleanor pulled a fresh strip of tape from the thick wooden spool.
The loud tearing sound filled the quiet atmosphere of the locked room.
Victoria backed up three steps on the polished stone patio floor.
She signaled to the tall bodyguard standing silently near the stone arches.
Victoria: Break these glass doors down this instant!
The guard stepped forward and drove his heavy shoulder straight into the frame.
The wooden latch snapped violently under the massive pressure of his body.
Glass shivered as the heavy double doors swung wide open into the room.
Victoria marched into the brightly lit sunroom without hesitating for a second.
Her heels clicked loudly against the pale marble tiles of the floor.
Eleanor spun around with a angry look painted across her lined face.