Ethan walked around the high archway wearing his handsome dark brown wedding tuxedo.
His warm smile disappeared instantly when he saw the distressed scene before him.
He saw his beautiful bride standing with a cold glare over a child.
The young girl in the green dress sat crying on the floor carpet.
Ethan: Lauren, what on earth is going on here right now?
Lauren turned around quickly while her hands shook with sudden nervous panic.
Lauren: Ethan, I can explain everything, please do not worry!
Ethan: Who is this little girl crying on our hallway floor?
Little Girl: She is my mommy and she pushed me away!
The loud words hung in the wide hallway like a heavy dark cloud.
Ethan stopped dead in his tracks as his brown eyes widened in disbelief.
Ethan: What did she just say about you, Lauren?
Lauren: She is confused, Ethan, she must have escaped from the guest seats!
The child stood up slowly while rubbing her red swollen eyes with her sleeve.
Little Girl: My name is Lily and she is my real mommy!
Ethan looked down at the little girl and then back at his pale bride.
He stepped closer and noticed the undeniable physical resemblance between the two faces.
They shared the exact same arched eyebrows and deep hazel eye color.
Ethan: Lauren, tell me the absolute truth right this second.
Lauren: It was a mistake from my young past that I moved beyond!
Ethan: A mistake? Are you referring to your own living child as a mistake?
Lauren stepped forward and tried to grab Ethan's warm hands in desperation.
Lauren: I did it for us so we could build a perfect future together!
Ethan pulled his hands back immediately as if her touch burned his skin.
Ethan: You abandoned your own daughter for money and social status?
Lauren: My mother raised her in another state so I could finish my college degree!
Ethan: You lied to me every single day for three entire years!
Lily reached out and grabbed Ethan's jacket sleeve with her small fingers.
Little Girl: Please do not yell at my mommy, mister!
Ethan looked at the sweet child and felt a wave of profound sorrow.
His heart broke seeing how innocent the young girl remained despite such neglect.
Ethan: Sweetie, nobody is going to hurt you or leave you alone today.
He pulled off his gold engagement ring band and held it out firmly.