The grandfather clock in the mansion foyer chimed three o'clock, its deep ring echoing against cold white marble.

Stacks of brown cardboard moving boxes lined the grand arched entrance, taped tight and labeled in bold black marker.

Evelyn: Stop crying right now. You are making an absolute scene.

Claire: Where are my dresses? Where is my drawing book?

Evelyn: Everything you own is in those boxes. And you are heading straight to an orphanage!

Seven-year-old Claire hugged her worn brown teddy bear tightly against her chest, her small knees trembling on the polished floor.

Claire: But my daddy said this was our home forever!

Evelyn: Your daddy is too busy running a billion-dollar company to notice what happens in this hallway.

Claire: He will be home soon! He promised we would bake cookies!

Evelyn: Look at me, little girl. No one will save you!

Evelyn sneered, adjusting the heavy crystal sleeve of her designer silk wedding gown.

Claire: Please, Evelyn... please don't take my bear.

Evelyn: Don't use my first name. You have zero manners, just like your mother had.

Claire: My mommy was kind! She never yelled!

Evelyn: Your mother is gone, and her trust fund belongs to this estate now.

Claire: Daddy said Mommy's room stays locked because it has her paintings!

Evelyn: Not anymore. I had the locksmith drill that door open two hours ago.

Claire: You promised Daddy you loved me!

Evelyn: People say whatever they need to say to sign a marriage license, kid.

Evelyn took one sharp step forward, her pointed heels clicking violently against the floor as her hand swung out.

Claire tumbled backward onto the marble, her little hands scraping hard against the stone as the heavy wooden front doors suddenly shook violently on their hinges.