The grand double doors of the chapel stood tall at the end of the marble corridor. Outside, guests were taking their seats, whispering happily about the beautiful union about to take place. Daniel walked toward the entrance with measured, heavy steps, his daughter holding his hand firmly.
Lily: "Daddy, everyone is waiting inside."
Daniel: "Let them wait. They need to hear what I have to say."
Just as they approached the chapel entrance, Chloe's mother, Eleanor, stepped out from the side hallway holding a bouquet of white roses. She paused, her eyes widening as she saw Lily crying and Daniel's furious expression.
Eleanor: "Daniel! What on earth are you doing back here? The ceremony is starting in two minutes!"
Daniel: "Get out of my way, Eleanor."
Eleanor: "Excuse me? Is that any way to speak to your future mother-in-law? And why is that child crying?"
Daniel: "Ask your daughter why my child is bleeding."
Eleanor: "Bleeding? What nonsense are you talking about? Lily probably tripped on her dress! You know how clumsy she is."
Daniel: "She didn't trip, Eleanor. Look at her arm!"
Daniel pulled Lily's arm forward, showing the red scratch marks to Eleanor. Eleanor glanced down briefly, her face flushing slightly, but she quickly dismissed it with an annoyed wave of her hand.
Eleanor: "Oh, please. It's a tiny scratch. Children get hurt all the time. Don't make a dramatic scene over nothing on my daughter's special day."
Daniel: "Special day? Your daughter dug her nails into my daughter's skin and threatened her!"
Eleanor: "Chloe would never do that! She has been nothing but nice to that girl! You are ruining a million-dollar wedding over a toddler's lie!"
Daniel: "A lie? Look at these marks!"
Eleanor: "Daniel, listen to me very carefully. The press is sitting out there. The town's wealthiest donors are out there. My family's reputation is on the line!"
Daniel: "I don't give a damn about your reputation or your money."
Eleanor: "You signed a prenuptial agreement, Daniel! You need our family business investment for your estate firm! If you blow this up now, you will lose everything!"
Daniel: "I don't care about the firm. My daughter comes first."
Eleanor: "You are being completely irrational! Put the child in the nursery, walk down that aisle, and put the ring on Chloe's finger!"
Daniel: "Touch my daughter or speak to her like that again, and I won't just cancel this wedding, I'll call the police."
Eleanor gasped, stepping back as Daniel brushed past her, pushing the heavy wooden doors open into the main chapel. The organ music swelled, playing a gentle melody as the congregation turned their heads toward the back, expecting to see the groom taking his position.
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