Hannah sat alone inside the quiet library of the grand estate.
The sun was shining brightly through the tall arched glass windows.
She held a small silver locket tightly in her right hand.
The locket belonged to her mother who had passed away years ago.
Hannah missed her mother every single day of her life.
Her father had remarried a wealthy woman named Margarethe two years later.
Margarethe always acted cold and mean toward young Hannah.
She wanted all the family money and the mansion for herself.
Hannah heard loud footsteps coming down the polished wooden hallway.
She quickly placed the silver locket back inside her jacket pocket.
Margarethe: What are you doing in this room again?
Hannah: I was just reading my father's old books, Margarethe.
Margarethe: You do not belong in this big mansion anymore, girl.
Hannah: My father left me a portion of this property in his will.
Margarethe: That will can easily be changed or lost forever.
Margarethe stepped closer to Hannah with a dark look on her face.
Hannah felt her heart pounding fast against her chest.
She stood up from the velvet chair and backed away slowly.
Margarethe: Your father was weak, but I run this estate now.
Hannah: The lawyer said the estate belongs to both of us.
Margarethe: We will see about that very soon, my dear stepdaughter.
Margarethe turned around and walked out into the grand hallway.
Hannah let out a long breath and wiped a tear from her eye.
She knew that a terrible storm was coming to her family home.
She needed to find someone who could help her stay safe.
Mark was the loyal head of security for the grand mansion.
He had worked for Hannah's father for over fifteen long years.
Mark walked into the room with a calm look on his face.
Mark: Are you okay, Miss Hannah? I heard arguing in here.
Hannah: Margarethe wants to take everything away from me, Mark.
Mark: I promised your father I would always protect you here.
Hannah: I am afraid she will do something drastic to get her way.
Mark: You must be very careful when walking through these halls.
Hannah looked out the window and wondered what would happen next.