The bright summer sun shone through the tall glass windows of the grand hotel ball room.
Sarah adjusted the delicate lace sleeve of her white wedding dress while looking into the tall mirror.
Her heart beat with excitement because she was finally marrying the man of her dreams today.
Mark had come into her life two years after her first husband had passed away quietly.
He was always kind and soft spoken toward her small six year old daughter Lily.
Lily looked like a tiny princess in her puffy white flower girl dress and silver shoes.
She was sitting on a plush red sofa nearby while playing happily with her favorite doll.
Sarah walked over to her daughter and knelt down on the shiny wooden floor with a smile.
She smoothed down Lily soft brown hair and kissed her softly on her warm forehead.
Lily looked up with big bright eyes and hugged her mother tight around the neck.
Everything felt completely peaceful as the grand pipe organ music began playing softly outside the room.
Sarah took a deep breath and grabbed her bunch of pink roses from the table.
She felt completely sure that Mark would be a wonderful stepfather to her sweet girl.
Mark was a hardworking accountant who always talked about building a secure future together.
He had helped Sarah manage her legal papers after her late husband left a big estate.
That trust fund was set up to pay for Lily college education and future home.
Sarah trusted Mark with all her heart and never questioned his advice about money matters.
She smiled at her reflection one last time before opening the wide dressing room door.
The long hallway was decorated with lovely white silk ribbons and fresh blooming flowers.
Guests were already sitting quietly inside the dark wood chapel area down the hall.
Sarah could hear the low hum of happy voices chatting happily about the big ceremony.
She checked Lily small flower basket to make sure the red rose petals were ready.
Lily giggled loudly and skipped ahead down the quiet carpeted hallway toward the doors.
Sarah felt a sudden surge of total happiness fill her whole chest in that moment.
Nothing could possibly go wrong on such a perfect and well planned afternoon.
She stepped toward the tall double doors where the chief groomsman was standing waiting.
His name was Jason and he was Mark closest business partner and best friend.
Jason gave a tight polite smile that did not quite reach his cold gray eyes.
Sarah brushed off a tiny piece of lint from her dress and smiled back warmly.
She did not notice the nervous look Jason exchanged with the young waiter nearby.
The heavy oak doors slowly opened to reveal hundreds of well dressed wedding guests.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting bright sparks of light everywhere.
Sarah stepped forward onto the long white aisle runner with absolute pride and joy.