The bright afternoon sun filtered brightly through the towering villa windows.
Golden balloons floated gently against the tall white living room walls.
A massive three-tiered strawberry birthday cake sat upon the glass table.
Little seven-year-old Lily stepped into the brightly decorated main living room.
She wore a shimmering golden dress with a tiny sparkling tiara.
Her soft leather shoes glided across the smooth white marble floor.
She smiled warmly while looking at the large mountain of gift boxes.
Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her childhood.
Her loving father David had planned this huge birthday party for months.
However, David was currently stuck at the local airport returning from business.
His stylish new wife Victoria stood near the main decorated cake table.
Victoria wore a glowing beige designer dress with shimmering diamond earrings.
Her cold blue eyes followed little Lily across the big marble room.
Victoria's own ten-year-old daughter Chloe stood nearby holding two wrapped gifts.
Lily reached out towards a bright pink box on the glass table.
Suddenly, Victoria stepped firmly between Lily and the main gift table.
Victoria: Do not touch those expensive present boxes right now, Lily.
Lily: But stepmother, those presents have my name written on them!
Victoria: Plans have changed completely for this afternoon's small event.
Lily looked up with big confused eyes at her cruel stepmother.
Lily: What do you mean the plans have changed today?
Victoria: Chloe deserves those beautiful birthday gifts much more than you do.
Victoria grabbed the largest pink present box from the glass table.
She handed the giant bright box directly to her daughter Chloe.
Chloe giggled softly as she pulled the colorful silk ribbon away.
Lily: Please do not give my special birthday gifts to Chloe!
Lily rushed forward to protect her special stack of wrapped presents.
Victoria shoved a large heavy decoration box straight into Lily's path.
Lily stumbled backward over the sharp edge of the marble rug.
She fell down hard onto the scattered stack of gift boxes.
Her delicate golden birthday tiara fell off onto the floor.
Victoria: Birthday cake is only for wanted children in this home.
Lily began to cry deeply while sitting among the broken ribbons.
Victoria turned her back coldly and poured herself a cool beverage.
She did not care about the small child crying on the floor.
Chloe continued opening the expensive wrapped presents with a loud laugh.
The white room suddenly felt very cold despite the bright sunlight.
Lily held her tiny knees tightly against her wet golden dress.
She wished with all her heart that her father would arrive home.