Mark: Who gave you this note, Lily?
Lily: Victoria... she came into my room while you were getting dressed.
Mark: Victoria gave this to you? Are you sure?
Lily: Yes. She said it was a big girl secret. But it hurts my heart, Daddy.
Mark: Hand it to me, sweetheart. Let me see it.
Lily uncurled her small fingers, handing over the damp, wrinkled paper with a trembling sigh.
Mark unfolded the page slowly, his eyes scanning the harsh, sharp handwriting he knew all too well.
"Lily, this mansion is for Mark and me to start our real family. Boarding school in Switzerland is already paid for. Pack your bags today. You won't be living here anymore."
Mark read the words once, then twice, his mind struggling to process the cruelty written on the page.
Lily: Am I going away, Daddy? Did I do something bad?
Mark: No, baby. No, you did nothing wrong. Look at me.
Lily: But the note says I have to leave after you marry her.
Mark: You are not going anywhere. Do you hear me? Never.
A dark, boiling rage surged through Mark's veins, replacing his shock with absolute, unyielding fury.
He remembered Victoria's sweet smile, her promise to be a loving stepmother, her gentle laughter around Lily over the past year.
It was all a lie, a carefully crafted performance to secure his estate and his wealth.
Lily: Daddy, you're scaring me. Your jaw is tight.
Mark: I'm not mad at you, sweetie. I promise. Stand up for me.
Lily: Okay... are we still doing the wedding?
Mark: We are going to finish this right now.
Mark grabbed Lily's small hand, smoothing down her floral dress with one quick motion.
His knuckles turned white as he clamped the crumpled note inside his left fist.
Mark: Keep close to me, Lily. Don't let go of my hand.
Lily: I won't, Daddy.
Mark: Good girl. Let's go talk to Victoria.
He turned toward the double doors that led into the main chapel hall, heavy leather shoes clicking loudly on the floor.
Every step he took felt like thunder shaking the quiet mansion hallway.
Lily: Daddy, you're walking really fast!
Mark: Just hold tight, baby. Just hold tight.
He slammed his hand against the heavy brass handles of the chapel doors and pushed them wide open.