Mark stepped into the bright dressing room with his fists clenched tightly at his side.
He saw the red marks on Lily's tiny wrist where Victoria had grabbed her.
Without hesitating for a single second, Mark marched directly across the large room.
He snatched the heavy bridal bouquet right out of Victoria's hands before she could speak.
Mark smashed the flower bouquet directly into Victoria's face with furious strength.
Petals flew everywhere across the shiny floor as Victoria gasped in total utter disbelief.
Groom: What the hell are you doing?!
Victoria stumbled backward into her large vanity mirror while gasping for air loudly.
Her expensive makeup was smeared, and white rose petals stuck to her styled hair.
Bride: Mark! How dare you strike at me on our sacred wedding day!
Groom: Do not ever put your hands on my child again, or God help me!
Lily ran straight to her father's side and buried her wet face into his coat.
Mark dropped to one knee instantly and wrapped his big arms tightly around her.
He kissed the top of her head while scanning her arms for any further injuries.
Mark: It is okay baby, Daddy is right here with you now.
Little Girl: She tried to steal the special box from my basket, Daddy!
Victoria straightened her silk dress while her eyes burned with hot white anger.
Bride: She is a brat! She was hiding cheap garbage inside her basket!
Bride: I am trying to save our family from embarrassment in front of guests!
Lily reached into her small flower basket with trembling hands and pulled something out.
She held out a small, tarnished silver antique locket attached to a delicate chain.
Little Girl: Daddy, look what I found...
Mark looked down as Lily placed the cold metal object into his open palm.
The locket was scratched, but he recognized the intricate leaf pattern on the front cover.
His heart skipped a beat as his thumb gently pressed the tiny side release latch.
The silver casing clicked open in the quiet room, revealing a small faded photograph.
It showed his late wife Sarah smiling brightly on a sunny beach years ago.
Behind Sarah in the photo stood a younger Victoria, standing beside a legal lawyer.
Mark stared at the small image while a heavy silence filled the whole dressing room.
Victoria's face turned completely pale as all the color drained from her cheeks.
Mark: Why are you in this old picture with my dead wife, Victoria?
Bride: That... that is just a wild coincidence from long ago!