Chapter 1 - The Forgotten Child
The grand mansion hall was breathtaking on Christmas morning. A massive, towering Christmas tree stood in the center of the foyer, glittering with expensive glass ornaments and warm holiday lighting. Beneath the branches sat a mountain of beautifully wrapped gifts, all tied with flawless silk ribbons.
But standing quietly at the edge of the marble stairs was a little girl who had nothing to open.
Sophie, a three-year-old girl with bright blonde hair and a beautiful, worn red velvet dress, looked sadly at the massive pile of presents. She reached up with her tiny hand and gently tugged on her mother’s sleeve.
Her mother, Elena, was in her late 20s. Her dark hair was secured in a neat updo, and she wore a crisp black and white maid uniform. She had been up since 4:00 AM, preparing the mansion for the boss's lavish holiday breakfast.
Sophie looked up at her mother, her big blue eyes welling with innocent, confused tears.
"Mommy," Sophie whispered, her voice cracking slightly in the quiet, cavernous hall. "Did Santa forget about me?"
Elena closed her eyes, her heart shattering into a thousand pieces. She knelt down on the cold marble floor, pulling Sophie into a desperate, tight hug. She struggled to find the words to answer. She had saved for months to buy Sophie a single doll, but her boss had docked her pay last week for a minor mistake, leaving Elena with absolutely nothing for Christmas.
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Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed at the top of the marble stairs.
👉 Who is watching the heartbroken mother and daughter from the shadows?
