The morning light filtered through the high stained glass windows of the grand estate.
Eight-year-old Leo sat on the polished oak bench near the sweeping front staircase.
He quietly held a silver locket that once belonged to his late mother.
His father, Arthur Vance, had gone to the city for an important corporate meeting.
Leo missed his mother every single day since she passed away two years ago.
The quiet house suddenly felt cold whenever his father left for work trips.
Heavy footsteps echoed down the high marble hallway behind the young boy.
Victoria stepped into the foyer wearing her favorite tailored green silk dress.
Her posture was strict and her eyes were sharp as she glared down at him.
She had married Arthur six months ago and brought tension to the entire household.
Victoria: Why are you idling around here again?
Leo quickly slipped the silver locket deep inside his small suit jacket pocket.
Leo: I was just waiting for my dad to call.
Victoria: Your father is busy running a multi-million dollar corporation today.
She stepped closer to the young boy with her arms tightly crossed over her chest.
Victoria: He does not have time to waste on your silly childish games.
Leo: He promised he would call me before noon.
Victoria: You need to go up to your room right now.
Leo looked down at the shiny white floor and stayed in his seat.
He knew that Victoria disliked anything that reminded Arthur of his first wife.
The estate carried many memories that Victoria wanted completely removed from sight.
She wanted full control over the household and every single room inside it.
Victoria: Did you hear what I just said to you?
Leo: I just want to sit here by the big window.
Victoria: You will obey my rules while your father is out of town.
She reached out and snatched the boy sharply by his sleeve.
Leo pulled his arm back in surprise and stood up on the bench.
He felt his small heart beating fast inside his chest with sudden fear.
No one in the house ever spoke to him with such harsh anger.
Leo: Let go of my coat, Victoria!
Victoria: You do not speak to me in that tone!
Her sharp voice echoed loudly through the large, open two-story foyer.
A gentle housemaid named Elena appeared from the kitchen around the corner.
Elena had served the Vance family loyally for more than twelve long years.
She loved young Leo like her own nephew and always looked out for him.
Elena paused near the bottom of the grand stairs with a worried expression.
Elena: Is everything alright over here, Mrs. Vance?
Victoria: Go back to your duties in the kitchen, Elena.
The tension in the air grew heavy as both women stared at each other.
Leo took a step backward toward the wooden banister of the upper floor.
He knew that something dangerous was growing beneath Victoria's polished facade.