Ten-year-old Lily stood inside her oversized bedroom, staring at the strange outfit laid out across her unmade bed. It was a black maid dress complete with a frilly white apron that looked far too small for her frame. Her biological mother had passed away two years ago, leaving her alone with her father, Mark, who ran a successful regional construction company. Six months ago, Mark married Victoria, a woman who pretended to be sweet whenever Mark was around. The moment Mark left for his frequent business trips, Victoria changed into a cold and demanding figure who treated Lily like an intruder in her own home.
Victoria leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed over her red silk dress. She swirled a high-stemmed wine glass filled with expensive cabernet while staring at the young girl. Lily turned around, her small hands clutching her elbows as she looked down at the floorboards. Victoria sneered slightly, taking a slow sip of her drink before speaking with a tone sharp enough to cut glass. She moved closer, her expensive perfume filling the small bedroom with a heavy scent that made Lily want to gag.
Victoria: Put that uniform on right now, Lily.
Lily: Daddy bought me real clothes for school.
Victoria: Your father isn't here to protect you today, little girl.
Lily: Why are you doing this to me?
Victoria: Because you need to learn your place in my new mansion.
Lily felt a hot tear run down her cheek, but she knew better than to argue back. She took the rough black fabric in her hands and began changing out of her comfortable cotton shirt. Victoria stood by the door, watching every second with a smirk of total control over the household. The house was a quiet six-bedroom estate with high marble ceilings and expensive crystal chandeliers hanging in every main room. Mark had bought it through a heavy mortgage before his company hit massive success with city contracts. To Lily, the big house had felt empty since her mother died, but now it felt like a prison run by a heartless warden.
Once the frilly apron was tied around Lily's waist, Victoria pointed toward the grand hallway. The glossy hardwood floors seemed to stretch on forever toward the sweeping double staircase in the center foyer. Victoria walked ahead, her high heels making rhythmic clicking sounds against the pristine white marble tile below. She sat down on a plush velvet armchair near the entrance, crossing her legs with slow authority. She set her wine glass on a side table and motioned for Lily to come closer to the chair.
Victoria: Take that white cloth on the table.
Lily: Is daddy coming back from his trip today?
Victoria: That is none of your business, you ungrateful child.
Lily: I just want to do my homework, please.
Victoria: Your homework can wait while my shoes need a polish.
Lily picked up the thin white rag from the glass coffee table, her tiny body trembling from fear and shame. She knelt down on the cold, hard marble floor right beside Victoria's designer red high heels. The surface was freezing against her bare knees, sending chills through her small legs. She began wiping a faint dust smudge off the glossy leather toe of Victoria's right shoe, keeping her head low so Victoria wouldn't see her crying. Victoria leaned down slightly, resting her elbow on her knee to look directly into Lily's tear-stained face.
Victoria: Wipe harder, Lily. It still looks dirty.
Lily: I'm trying my best, Victoria.
Victoria: Your best isn't good enough in this family.
Lily: I'm sorry, please...
Victoria: Stop crying. You're making a mess on my floor.