Marcus stood near the tall grand windows of his suburban house.
He looked across the bright lawn while holding a warm cup of coffee.
His daughter Lily played softly on the living room rug with her dolls.
She was only seven years old and missed her mother every day.
Marcus wanted to make sure his young daughter always felt safe.
Two years had passed since his first wife died of a sudden illness.
The silence in the massive house had been very heavy for both of them.
Then Victoria entered his life like a bright beam of sunlight.
She was elegant, spoke softly, and promised to love his daughter unconditionally.
They married in a quiet ceremony at a coastal town six months ago.
Marcus believed he had finally rebuilt a happy life for his family.
He owned a successful construction business that required much of his time.
Whenever Marcus left for the office, Victoria promised to care for Lily.
Victoria: Have a safe drive to the city office today, my love.
Marcus: Thank you, Victoria, please make sure Lily eats her lunch.
Victoria: You know I always take care of our sweet little girl.
Marcus kissed his wife on the cheek before reaching for his briefcase.
He looked down at Lily, who offered him a tiny timid wave.
Lily: Will you be back before bedtime, Daddy?
Marcus: I will always come home in time to read your story.
Marcus walked out the front door toward his dark navy blue sedan.
As soon as the car vanished down the driveway, Victoria turned around.
Her soft smile disappeared completely from her sharp face.
She looked down at the little girl sitting on the plush carpet.
Victoria: Clean up those silly toys immediately and go to your room.
Lily: I was still playing with my small wooden dollhouse, Victoria.
Victoria: Do not use that tone of voice with me, young lady.
Lily picked up her toys with shaking hands and kept her head low.
She felt a cold chill whenever her father left the house entirely.
Victoria walked toward the kitchen to speak with her private lawyer on speakerphone.
She wanted to ensure the house trust fund was put into her name.
Victoria: Is the updated inheritance document ready for my signature yet?
Lawyer: The estate papers still leave everything to Marcus's daughter, Lily.
Victoria: That legal document needs to change before the end of this month.
Victoria hung up the phone and stared angrily at the stairs.
She resented the little girl for keeping the family fortune out of reach.
If Marcus passed away, everything would go straight to the young girl.
Victoria wanted the mansion, the business, and the bank accounts for herself.
She began planning a way to isolate Lily from her father forever.
She hoped to send Lily away to an expensive distant boarding school.
Lily sat upstairs in her bedroom, listening to the muffled cold voice below.
She wished her father could see how Victoria treated her in secret.
The little girl hugged her favorite teddy bear very close to her chest.
She knew she had to be strong until her father returned home.