The dark wooden door creaked open with a loud groan.
A cool draft of damp air pushed out into the warm hallway.
Lily dropped the heavy hammer onto the white floor with a clatter.
A pale hand reached out from the dark basement opening.
Mother: Help me... please reach for my hand...
Lily dropped to her knees right beside the open trapdoor.
She grabbed her mother's trembling cold fingers with both hands.
Lily: I have you now, Mom!
Martha stood frozen in pure terror as she watched the opening.
Lily pulled with all her weight to help her mother climb upward.
Her mother wore a worn light dress covered in dust and stains.
She pulled her mother onto the clean white marble floor.
Her mother collapsed against Lily, breathing in heavy painful gasps.
Lily: Why did he put you down there?
Mother: He wanted the family inheritance for himself.
Her mother pointed toward the large wooden desk inside the private study.
Mother: He hid the real legal will inside his safe.
Lily held her mother tight, feeling her body shaking uncontrollably.
Maid Martha: I tried to tell him this was wrong.
Lily: You helped him keep this terrible secret, Martha!
Maid Martha: He threatened to take my pension and my home away!
Heavy footsteps suddenly echoed from the front entrance of the mansion.
The front door opened wide, letting in the cool afternoon breeze.
Lily's father walked into the grand hallway wearing a dark tuxedo.
He stopped dead in his tracks as his eyes hit the floor.
His face turned entirely pale as he saw his wife sitting there.
Father: How did this hatch get unlocked?
He stared at the broken iron lock lying beside the hammer.
Lily: You lied to me about my mother for two years!
Father: Lily, you do not understand what is going on here.
Lily: You locked her away to take her trust fund!
Father: Put her back down there before someone sees us!
He stepped forward quickly with a harsh glare in his eyes.
Lily stood up and placed herself right in front of her mother.
Lily: You will never hurt her again!