Chapter 4
The muffled sound of laughter drifted up from the front courtyard, signaling the arrival of the first wedding guests. Valet drivers shouted instructions, and the gentle chime of distant greetings echoed through the tall, open windows of the manor. Downstairs, florists were putting the final touches on the white roses lining the grand staircase, oblivious to the emotional devastation unfolding on the second floor.
Elena stood up, smoothing the front of her wedding dress with trembling hands. The initial shock was hardening into a protective, practical anger. She looked from Arthur to the red box, and finally down at little Lily, who stood quietly by the glass paneling, watching them with wide, mournful eyes.
“We have two hundred people downstairs waiting to watch us exchange vows,” Elena said, her voice devoid of its earlier warmth. “They are eating our food, drinking our champagne, and celebrating a union built on whatever foundation is left in that box. Are we going to walk down those stairs and pretend everything is fine?”
Arthur slowly closed the red box, the lid snapping shut with a finality that made Lily flinch. He stood up, towering over the child, his suit jacket slightly rumpled. The man who had been so composed moments ago now looked weathered, stripped of the armor he had worn for a decade.
“We can’t pretend,” Arthur said quietly. “Not now. If we go down there without addressing this, we are living a fraud. But canceling the wedding... Elena, do you know what that does to my family? To our reputation?”
“To hell with your reputation!” Elena snapped, her voice rising before she caught herself, glancing toward the stairwell to ensure no guests had wandered upstairs. She lowered her tone, stepping close to Arthur until she could smell the cedar and faint cologne on his collar. “You lied to me about who you are. You hid a child, Arthur. Or worse, you abandoned one. Lily didn’t just guess about this box. She knew because it belongs to her, doesn’t it?”
Arthur looked away, unable to meet her gaze. That was the confession he had dreaded making more than any other. He didn’t answer, but the silence was answer enough.
Lily stepped forward, her small shoes making no sound on the runner. She reached out and gently tugged on the hem of Arthur’s navy trousers.
“ Daddy,” Lily whispered, using the word for the very first time since she had arrived at the manor that morning.
May you like
The word hit Arthur like a physical blow. He staggered back half a step, staring down at the little girl. Elena pressed a hand to her mouth again, fresh tears spilling over her lashes as the horrifying truth settled over them both.
***
