CHAPTER 5

DIANA'S POV The broom glided across the marble floor, sweeping dust and hidden dirt into a neat pile. The actions were on automatic, my body acting without thought, as every other day. My arms ached, my legs felt weak, and the burning pain in my chest throbbed dully, but I shoved it away. There was no time to rest. There was never time to rest. The grand hall stretched on and on before me, the chandeliers illuminating the shiny floors. It was beautiful. Chilly and empty, but beautiful. Much like my life in this house. The sound of heels on the floor made my stomach knot. I didn't have to look up to know who it was. Lily. Her perfume perfumed the air before I even saw her, a sickly sweet scent that always made me feel ill. I kept sweeping, hoping she would just pass on by without saying anything. But Lily never let moment of slippage happen without asserting the correct procedure. "Whole lot of sweeping going on," her voice was dripping in sarcasm, "still sweeping, I see." I