Daniel pulled Lily tightly into his chest, feeling her little body tremble against his suit. He kissed the top of her head, trying to keep his own voice steady while his mind raced with horrifying possibilities.
Daniel: "Shh, it's okay, baby. Daddy is right here. Nobody is going to hurt you again."
Lily: "It hurts so bad, Daddy. She squeezed me real hard."
Daniel: "Show me again, sweetheart. Let me see."
Daniel gently lifted her small arm again, examining the raw red marks that stood out against her pale skin. They weren't accidental marks from playing; they were deliberate, deep claw marks left by fingernails.
Daniel: "Who did this to you, Lily? Was it Chloe?"
Lily: "Yes... Miss Chloe came in here before you did."
Daniel: "Why did she touch you like that? What did she say?"
Lily: "I was looking at the white dress hanging up. I just touched the shiny beads on it because they were pretty."
Daniel: "And then what happened?"
Lily: "She grabbed my arm real tight and pulled me back. She leaned down and whispered in my ear."
Daniel: "What did she whisper, Lily? Tell me exact words."
Lily: "She said I was a little brat and that once the wedding was over, she was sending me away to a boarding school."
Daniel felt a cold knot tighten in his stomach. Chloe had always been sweet, patient, and loving around him, acting like a devoted future mother to Lily ever since they started dating two years ago.
Daniel: "She said she was sending you away?"
Lily: "Yes... She said you belong to her now, not me. And if I cried or told you, she would hurt my puppy too."
Daniel: "She threatened your puppy?"
Lily: "She pinched my arm real hard until I started crying, then she shoved me onto the floor and walked out."
Daniel stood up slowly, his hands clenching into tight fists. Tears of anger burned in his eyes as he looked at his terrified daughter sitting amongst the rose petals.
Daniel: "Listen to me, Lily. Look at Daddy."
Lily: "Are you mad at me?"
Daniel: "No! Never at you. You did nothing wrong, my sweet girl."
Lily: "Are you still going to marry her?"
Daniel: "Never. I am going to fix this right now."
Lily: "Please don't leave me alone!"
Daniel: "I'm not leaving you. Pick up your dress, take my hand, and come with me."
Daniel lifted Lily into his arms, kissing her tear-stained cheek before setting her back down gently and holding her tiny hand tightly in his. The wedding music began to echo softly from the sanctuary down the hall, indicating the ceremony was about to begin.
Daniel: "Let's go show everyone who Chloe really is."
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