The marble floors of the penthouse echo with the sharp, crackling sound of a television news broadcast playing in the background.
Sunlight cuts through the glass French doors, illuminating the dust motes dancing over expensive designer rugs and polished chrome fixtures.
Victoria: Stop shifting around every single second or I will make sure you stay in your room until dinner.
Chloe: Ow, it pulls too tight! Please stop burning my head!
Victoria: You brought this on yourself by running around the balcony like a wild animal earlier today.
Chloe: I just wanted to see daddy's car pull into the driveway!
Victoria: Your father is busy with board meetings and corporate lawyers, not your little games.
Chloe's shoulders shake as silent, heavy tears roll down her flushed cheeks, catching the harsh glare of the vanity lights.
Victoria's expression tightens into a cruel smirk as she presses the heated metal plates closer against the young girl's scalp.
Victoria: Sit completely still right now or else this iron is going to leave a mark you won't forget.
Chloe: Mommy wouldn't let you hurt me like this if she was here!
Victoria: Your mother isn't here anymore, sweetie, so you better get used to how things work in this house.
A thin column of gray smoke rises from the strands of hair trapped between the ceramic plates.
The smell of singed protein fills the luxurious bathroom as Chloe lets out a piercing, terrified shriek.
Will anyone reach the suite in time before the cruel stepmother causes permanent damage to the defenseless child?