Sarah adjusted her dark grey apron as she walked across the marble floor of the grand estate.
The morning sun poured through the high arching windows of the luxury home.
She had worked for the Sterling family for over five years as their chief housemaid.
Every corner of the massive estate was familiar to her, from the formal library to the sunlit pool terrace.
She knew the quiet halls and the heavy secrets held within the thick stone walls.
Her primary duty lately was assisting young Elena, who was six months pregnant with the family heir.
Elena had married Daniel Sterling two years ago after a quick romance in the city.
At first, the marriage seemed like a dream come true for the modest young woman.
However, the atmosphere inside the household turned cold soon after the news of her pregnancy broke.
Daniel shifted his focus entirely to his father’s trust fund and the vast family business.
His mother, Victoria Sterling, made no effort to hide her intense dislike for her new daughter-in-law.
Victoria wanted Daniel to marry a wealthy socialite from an influential political family.
She viewed Elena as an outsider who was only after the family inheritance and estate.
Sarah often noticed Elena weeping quietly in the nursery room upstairs during the quiet evenings.
Elena: Sarah, do you think Daniel ever truly loved me at all?
Sarah: He is just stressed about the business transfer, ma'am.
Elena: No, he looks at me like I am an obstacle in his path.
Sarah gently placed a warm glass of milk on the bedside table beside Elena.
Sarah: You need to rest and stay strong for your baby.
Elena: I feel so alone in this massive, empty house.
Sarah: You are not alone as long as I am working here.
Sarah stepped out into the quiet hallway and closed the heavy oak door softly behind her.
She heard sharp voices rising from the home office down the corridor.
Victoria was speaking in an urgent tone to Daniel behind closed doors.
Victoria: The prenuptial agreement must be updated before the baby arrives next month!
Daniel: She will never sign away her rights to the family estate, mother.
Victoria: Then we find another way to remove her from the trust document!
Sarah held her breath as she dusted the decorative bronze statue beside the office entry.
She realized that the mother and son were planning something drastic against Elena's legal standing.
The family lawyer, Mr. Vance, had visited the mansion twice earlier that week.
He carried thick yellow envelopes sealed with official red wax stamps.
Sarah knew that Elena had no idea about the legal papers being prepared against her.
She felt a heavy weight pressing down on her shoulders as she finished her morning rounds.
Her loyalty to her job was important, but her conscience was telling her to protect Elena.
She walked toward the balcony to clear her mind and collect the outdoor linen.
The morning heat was rising over the crystal blue swimming pool down below.
She saw a thick file lying unattended on the glass coffee table on the terrace.
The crest of the Sterling family law firm was clearly printed across the top cover.
Sarah looked around the empty balcony before carefully picking up the folder to inspect the contents.