The humid air inside the master bathroom of the Dallas mansion smelled heavily of polished marble and expensive bath oils. Seven-year-old Mia stood trembling near the edge of the glass vanity, her small shoes barely gripping the slick floor. Beside her, framed neatly against the white wall, hung an American flag that reflected in the tall mirrors. Standing over her was Victoria, dressed in a sleek silk robe, holding a heavy silver pitcher filled with a stinging red liquid.
Victoria: Hold still! You need to learn discipline!
Mia: Please, Aunt Victoria! It hurts! Stop!
Victoria: You spilled water on my designer heels, you careless little brat. Now you stand here and take your punishment.
Mia: I didn't mean to! It was an accident!
Victoria: In this house, accidents have severe consequences.
Victoria tipped the silver pitcher forward with a cold, unyielding glare. The dark red liquid poured down in a steady stream, splashing directly onto Mia's bare right hand and wrist. The chemical solution scorched her skin on contact, making the young girl scream out in agonizing pain as tears burst from her eyes.
Mia: AAAAAH! It's burning! It burns so bad!
Victoria: Be quiet! You don't scream in my presence!
Before Victoria could pour another drop, the bathroom door swung open. Maria, the family's young maid in a grey-and-black uniform, rushed through the doorway with a horrified expression on her face.
Maria: What are you doing to her?! Oh my God!
Victoria: Mind your own business, maid, or you'll be fired before sunset!
Mia: Maria, help me! It stings!
Maria: Get away from that child right now!
Maria lunged forward to pull Mia away from the vanity, but her shoulder collided hard with Victoria's arm. Victoria stumbled backward, losing her balance on the slick floor tiles. With a loud gasp and a massive splash, Victoria fell straight backward into the freestanding white bathtub filled with cold water, sending soapy foam flying across the room.
Victoria: AAH! You insolent wretch!
Maria: Hold on, Mia! Let me run cold water over your hand!
Victoria sputtered and struggled inside the tub, her silk robe completely soaked as she glared up at the maid and the weeping child. But before she could drag herself out of the water, heavy double doors echoed down the hallway, accompanied by the thunderous sound of rapid running footsteps heading straight for the master suite.