a millionaire unexpectedly overheard his daughter’s message expressing her wish to leave an inheritance

of $2.5 million to the maid but then the tycoon became determined

to ensure the maid would not receive a single penny of the inheritance for this reason

Lily lay nestled in the king sized bed practically swallowed by the layers of cream colored linens

pressed so smooth there wasn’t a single misplaced crease at 6 years old

her body was as tiny as a kitten forgotten in the snow her thin fingers gripped a teddy bear

with one tattered ear her wide eyes glued to the ceiling in this vast second floor bedroom

the air was thick with the scent of antiseptic blended with expensive wax scented candles

creating a suffocating aroma of wealth devoid of life the heavy oak door cracked open

pushing in a draft of cold air from the hallway air conditioner Arthur entered he was still in the sharp

Armani suit from the morning board meeting his tie slightly loosened but his expression was intensely strained

the blue light from his phone screen illuminated the powerful man’s face highlighting the worried lines around his eyes

his gaze quickly swept over the heart rate monitor next to the bed which blinked steady green numbers

daughter daddy’s home Arthur said his eyes still fixed on the emails scrolling continuously on his phone

he strode quickly to the bedside placing a large cold hand on Lily’s forehead

the touch lasted less than two seconds just long enough to reassure himself the child didn’t have a fever

but not long enough to feel the slight trembling beneath her pale skin

Lily stirred softly her dry lips moving slightly did daddy bring

oh the present Arthur interrupted his hand instinctively patting his daughter’s shoulder

through the thick blankets a mechanical gesture like approving a routine document next time Princess

I promise the trip to Paris next week I’ll bring you the biggest doll in the store

OK the phone in his hand vibrated urgently signaling a crucial call from London

Arthur recoiled his hand as if burned he turned his back immediately his steps quickening toward the door

I have to go important meeting sleep well Lily didn’t reply

she just lay there watching her father’s broad back disappear behind the closing door

taking with him the small bit of warmth that had briefly ignited the sound of expensive leather shoe soles

tapping on the hardwood floor faded into the distance and stopped leaving absolute silence

she sighed a heavy intermittent breath typical of children with ailing hearts

by the age of 6 Lily had Learned to befriend this silence understanding that adult promises

were sometimes lighter than the dust motes suspended in the faint light of the night lamp

five minutes later the door opened again there was no hurried footsteps only a chilling composure

Eleanor entered Lily’s stepmother always appeared like a perfect statue carved from marble

her golden hair was neatly pinned back not a single baby hair out of place and her navy blue

silk dress hugged her straight posture she didn’t bring the clamour of the outside world

like Arthur but rather a frigid order she didn’t look at Lily immediately

her high heels clicked a steady rhythm on the wooden floor guiding her directly to the medicine table

in the corner she picked up the list of medical orders her slender fingers tracing each line of text

cross referencing it with the medicine bottles neatly lined up on the silver tray her ash gray eyes narrowed

scrutinizing every milligram of dosage everything in this house under her management

had to operate perfectly and precisely including her husband’s fragile daughter

finished she finally turned and walked toward the bed Eleanor stood there looking down at Lily

her gaze held no pity nor any feigned gentleness it was a scrutinizing look evaluating the biological status of a living organism

did you take your medicine her voice rang out low and even without inflection

Lily nodded slightly clutching the teddy bear tighter Eleanor reached out her manicured fingers hovered in the air

aimed toward Lily’s shoulder for a split second it seemed she intended to do something unusual

a comforting pat or perhaps adjusting a stray lock of hair but then her hand froze

her fingers slowly curled into a fist then quickly retreated behind her back

instead she leaned down and grasped the edge of the blanket the movement was decisive and skillful

she pulled the blanket up to Lily’s chin smoothing out the wrinkles on the sheet the care was so precise

it lacked the warmth of human affection good go to sleep

it’s 8:00 Eleanor said glancing at her wristwatch she gave Lily a nod of formal acknowledgement

reserved for a business partner then turned to dim the overhead light click

the room plunged into a soft darkness illuminated only by the faint blue light from the air conditioner

and the numbers dancing on the heart rate monitor Eleanor left closing the door gently but firmly

as if locking Lily into a safe but stuffy glass box Lily lay alone listening to the hum of the air conditioner

that steady sound was the only thing confirming that time was still moving

she couldn’t sleep the silence scared her it reminded her of the chest pains

that could arrive at any moment she reached under her pillow pulling out a crumpled drawing and a few blunt crayons

in the dim light Lily began to draw she pursed her lips trying to colour a daisy in the corner of the paper

but sudden exhaustion overwhelmed her and her eyelids drooped the crayon slipped from her weak fingers

rolling onto the stark white sheets she gave up ready to drift into another endless night

tap tap tap 3 knocks Lily jolted awake her eyes wide

her heart skipped a beat but not from pain from novelty this wasn’t the strong

rushed knock of the night nurse who always burst in to check her blood pressure and leave instantly

nor was it the polite but distant knock of Eleanor these three taps were gentle hesitant as if the person outside was wavering

afraid to disturb an angel’s sleep yet held a tender patience Lily held her breath

her eyes fixed on the gleaming brass doorknob the doorknob began to turn slowly