Meanwhile, the father's second wife gained full custody of her stepdaughters. She took the opportunity to finally treat them as horribly as her heart desired, for she was as envious of them as she had been of her sister. Both girls were forced to clean and cook, as if they were hired help, and barely had enough to eat. Each had only one set of clothes to wear. She withdrew them from their private schools and forbade them from conversing with their father or friends. However, their stepmother was not content even with these punishments. She delighted in abusing both girls physically and verbally, assuring them that they were worthless and no one would ever love them.