The Hawthorne Mansion glowed beneath thousands of lights as luxury cars filled the circular driveway. Inside, crystal chandeliers illuminated the marble halls while hundreds of guests gathered for the wedding of billionaire businessman Daniel Hawthorne and socialite Victoria Blake.
Everything was ready.
The orchestra waited.
The officiant stood beside the floral altar.
Only the groom remained out of sight.
As Daniel prepared in a private room, he suddenly heard a faint cry echo from outside the mansion.
"Dad!"
His heart skipped a beat.
Without hesitation, he ran through the marble hallway toward the towering glass entrance doors.
Guests turned in surprise as he hurried past them.
Daniel threw open the doors.
Standing alone on the front steps was his eight-year-old daughter, Lily.
She wore a thin white shawl over her formal dress.
Her cheeks were red from the cold.
Tears streamed down her face as she hugged herself tightly.
Daniel immediately rushed to her and wrapped her in his arms.
His voice shook with fear.
"Who left you out here?"
Lily buried her face against his shoulder.
Her tiny hands trembled.
Then she whispered words that shattered his heart.
"She locked the door."
Daniel slowly looked toward the mansion entrance.
Standing inside the hallway, dressed in an elegant lace wedding gown, was Victoria.
She watched the scene without emotion.
The guests exchanged uneasy glances.
The joyful atmosphere vanished in an instant.
Daniel gently carried Lily inside.
Every person in the mansion waited to hear what would happen next.