Chapter 1 - The Cry That Stopped The Wedding
The wedding of Lucas Bennett was supposed to be the happiest day of his life.
The grand Bennett mansion was glowing beneath hundreds of golden lights.
Hundreds of guests filled the ballroom.
The orchestra played softly.
Vanessa stood beside Lucas in her elegant white gown, smiling like she had finally won everything she wanted.
But then…
A scream cut through the celebration.
“Daddy… please!”
“Let me out!”
Lucas froze.
The voice was small.
Terrified.
And impossible to mistake.
It was Lily.
His eight-year-old daughter.
His smile disappeared instantly.
He turned away from the altar.
“Where is she?”
Nobody answered.
The guests looked confused.
Vanessa stepped forward quickly.
“Lucas, don’t do this.”
“She’s probably upset because she wants attention.”
But Lucas was already running.
His shoes echoed against the marble floor.
His heart was beating faster with every step.
He reached the hallway.
The crying became louder.
“Daddy!”
“I’m scared!”
Lucas stopped in front of the locked bathroom door.
“Lily!”
“I’m here!”
Behind him, Vanessa arrived moments later.
Her expression looked nervous.
Too nervous.
Lucas looked at the locked door.
Then at Vanessa.
“Open it.”
Vanessa hesitated.
“I…”
Lucas noticed something in her hand.
A small silver key.
His eyes narrowed.
“Why do you have that key?”
Vanessa quickly closed her fingers around it.
“It’s not what you think.”
Lucas stepped closer.
“Then tell me what it is.”
The mansion became completely silent.
Everyone was watching.
Everyone was waiting.
And behind the door…
Lily whispered something that made Lucas’s blood run cold.
“Daddy…”
“She said mommy’s letter belongs to her now.”
Lucas slowly turned toward Vanessa.
Because he knew one thing.
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His late wife’s final letter was never supposed to leave his private safe.
And Vanessa should have never known it existed.
