Elena adjusted the crisp white collar of her black maid uniform as she walked through the grand hallway.
The sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Sterling family mansion.
Everything in this house looked expensive, polished, and completely cold.
Elena had worked as a housemaid for the wealthy businessman, Richard Sterling, for almost two years.
She knew every inch of the white marble floors and every expensive painting hanging on the walls.
She also knew the deep sadness that lived inside six-year-old Leo Sterling.
Leo was Richard's only son from his late wife, who had passed away three years ago.
The poor boy spent most of his days wandering the vast estate in quiet solitude.
That quiet routine changed completely six months ago when Richard married his new wife, Victoria.
Victoria was a tall, glamorous woman who always wore designer dresses and dark red lipstick.
To the outside world, Victoria acted like a charming and loving new mother to young Leo.
She smiled brightly for the photo shoots in luxury magazines and spoke softly in public.
However, the moment the heavy front doors closed, her warm smile vanished instantly.
Elena had noticed the subtle cruelty right from the very first week of the marriage.
Victoria would snap at the boy whenever Richard was away on long business trips.
She locked Leo in his bedroom under the excuse that he needed extra study time.
She took away his favorite toy cars and complained about his quiet presence constantly.
Leo had slowly stopped smiling and barely spoke a word during family dinners.
Elena always tried her best to comfort the young boy whenever the house was quiet.
She would slip extra chocolate cookies into his room and read him bedtime stories.
Leo trusted Elena more than anyone else living inside the huge, lonely house.
On this bright Tuesday afternoon, Richard was expected home from an overseas business trip.
The entire household staff was busy preparing the main dining hall for his arrival.
Elena was polishing the silver tray in the adjacent kitchen when she heard shouting upstairs.
The sharp, angry voice belonged to Victoria, and it echoed off the high marble ceilings.
Elena set her polishing cloth down immediately and moved quickly toward the grand foyer.
Her heart beat fast as the harsh words grew louder with every step she took.
She stood at the base of the grand staircase and looked up toward the upper landing.
Victoria stood near the top step wearing a bright red sequin gown that caught the sunlight.
Her face was red with anger as she towered over little Leo in his grey suit.
Leo was crying softly, his small hands trembling as he backed away from her slowly.
Elena took a deep breath, knowing that stepping in could cost her job instantly.
Yet she could not stand by and watch a defenseless child suffer any longer.