Evelyn adjusted the collar of her young daughter's cotton dress while standing outside the estate.
The sun washed over the massive marble estate, making the white stone walls glow brightly.
She took a deep breath to calm the nervous fluttering deep in her chest.
Julian had promised her that moving into his family home would give them a stable future.
He told her that his mother, Margarethe, was simply traditional and strict about house rules.
Evelyn wanted to believe that her new mother-in-law would eventually warm up to her.
She held little Lily close to her hip as the heavy wooden front doors swung open.
A butler led them into the main grand hallway with polished marble floors underfoot.
Margarethe sat at the end of a long dining table drinking dark coffee from bone china.
She did not stand up or offer a warm smile when they walked into the bright room.
Her sharp blue eyes looked over Evelyn's simple dress with obvious cold disdain.
Margarethe: You are five minutes late for the morning schedule, Evelyn.
Evelyn: I am so sorry, Margarethe, but Lily needed a quick change of clothes.
Margarethe: Excuses will not be tolerated under this roof while you live here.
Evelyn bit her lip to hold back a sharp reply as she pulled out a dining chair.
She set young Lily into the wooden high chair sitting right beside her seat.
The toddler babbled happily and reached for a small piece of warm bread on the table.
Julian walked into the room a moment later, scrolling quietly through his mobile phone.
He sat down without kissing Evelyn or greeting his young stepdaughter warmly.
Evelyn: Julian, can you please ask your mother to share the daily schedule with me?
Julian: Just do whatever she says, Evelyn, and do not make a fuss today.
Evelyn felt a cold wave of disappointment wash over her heart at his flat tone.
She realized then that Julian was not going to stand up for her in this house.
Margarethe placed her coffee cup down on the saucer with a loud, sharp clatter.
Margarethe: Children in this house are raised with quiet discipline and strict obedience.
Evelyn: She is only two years old, Margarethe, she is still learning.
Margarethe: That is no excuse for messy habits at my formal breakfast table.
Lily accidentally knocked a small silver spoon off the tray of her wooden high chair.
The metal spoon clattered against the hard marble floor with a loud ringing sound.
Margarethe immediately stood up from her chair with a dark and furious expression.
Evelyn turned around from the sideboard just in time to see Margarethe march over.
clear fear spiked through Evelyn's chest as she dropped her linen napkin to the floor.
She moved as fast as she could across the polished floor toward her small child.