David rushed toward the closet and pulled open the sliding door.
Inside, curled up in the darkness, sat Lily.
Her flower basket lay upside down beside her.
Mascara tears streaked across her tiny face.
She immediately threw herself into her father's arms.
"Daddy!"
David hugged her tightly.
"It's okay."
"I'm here."
His voice trembled as he gently brushed tears from her cheeks.
"Who locked you in here?"
Before Lily could answer, footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Emily...
The bride.
Still wearing her elegant lace wedding gown.
She stopped suddenly when she saw David holding Lily.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then David looked directly at her.
"What happened?"
Emily folded her arms.
"I didn't want a scene."
David stared at her in disbelief.
"What are you talking about?"
Emily sighed as though the explanation should have been obvious.
"I just didn't want her to ruin our wedding day."
The hallway fell silent.
David looked down at Lily, who buried her face against his shoulder.
His chest tightened.
He couldn't believe what he had just heard.
Emily stepped closer.
"I only asked one of my bridesmaids to keep her out of the way until the ceremony was over."
David's expression hardened.
"You locked my daughter in a closet."
Emily rolled her eyes.
"It wasn't for very long."
To Emily...
It was a minor inconvenience.
To David...
It was something he could never forget.
Then Lily whispered something through her tears that changed everything.