The grandfather clock in the grand living room chimed six times as light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Elena adjusted the small blue dress on her infant daughter, Maya, who sat quietly in her wooden high chair.
The mansion smelled of fresh flowers and roasted meats prepared for the evening estate celebration.
Elena smiled softly while fastening a delicate pearl necklace around her daughter's tiny neck.
Her stepmother, Victoria, walked into the dining area with sharp, clicking heels across the marble floor.
Victoria wore an expensive grey silk shirt dress that rustled with every cold step she took.
She glared down at the infant with intense disdain written across her painted face.
Elena stepped toward the kitchen counter to fetch a warm bowl of fresh oatmeal for Maya.
Victoria leaned over the high chair and aggressively snatched the silver feeding spoon from the tray.
She threw the spoon across the polished floor with a loud metallic clang that echoed loudly.
Maya startled instantly, letting out a sharp, frightened cry as tears filled her round eyes.
Elena spun around quickly, her heart pounding as she saw Victoria scowling over the crying child.
"What are you doing to my daughter?" Elena demanded, rushing back across the wide room.
Victoria folded her arms calmly, showing no regret for scaring the small baby.
"She does not belong at the head table during tonight's board dinner," Victoria said coldly.
Elena pulled Maya gently into her arms, pressing the weeping child close against her chest.
The baby gasped for breath while hiding her tear-stained face in Elena's shoulder.
Elena felt her whole body shake with protective rage as she faced her stepmother.
"This is my child's home just as much as it is yours," Elena said firmly.
Victoria scoffed loudly, turning her back to adjust her designer dress in the glass wall mirror.
"Your father's fortune was built for real heirs, not for peaceful charity cases," Victoria spat back.
Elena clutched her daughter tighter, sensing the deep hatred hiding behind Victoria's words.
The tension in the grand room grew heavy as heavy footsteps approached from the hallway.