The dark heavy rain poured down over the concrete steps outside the chapel.
Inside the grand building, bright daylight filtered through the tall stained glass windows.
Mark stood near the altar in his tailored black tuxedo feeling complete peace.
He looked at Victoria as she walked slowly down the long white aisle.
Her expensive designer wedding gown glinted under the chandeliers.
She smiled at him with perfect white teeth and soft green eyes.
Everything about this afternoon felt like a golden dream for Mark.
Then the heavy oak doors at the back flew open with a loud thud.
A cold wind blew inside and scattered several loose flower petals along the floor.
Mark turned around quickly to see what had caused the sudden disruption.
A small soaked young girl stood trembling at the open entrance.
Water dripped heavily from her dark matted hair onto her worn shoes.
She held a thick brown manila envelope tightly against her chest.
Tears were streaming down her pale cheeks as she gasped for breath.
Lucy: Dad!
Lucy: Don't marry her!
Mark blinked in absolute confusion as he took a step back from the altar.
The wealthy guests in the pews gasped and began whispering to each other.
Mark: Who are you?
Mark: What are you doing here, sweetie?
The little girl took three quick steps down the central aisle.
She wiped her wet nose with the sleeve of her oversized sweater.
Lucy: I'm Lucy!
Lucy: I'm Olivia's daughter!
Mark felt all the blood drain instantly from his handsome face.
The name Olivia rang through his heart like a sharp physical pain.
Nine years ago, Olivia had disappeared from his life without saying a single word.
He had spent months searching every city for any trace of her.
Victoria had comforted him back then and claimed Olivia simply ran away with money.
Now Victoria stepped forward with an angry red flush creeping up her neck.
Her fake sweet smile completely vanished into a terrifying glare.
Victoria: Olivia died nine years ago!
Victoria: Someone take this crazy street kid outside immediately!
Lucy: No!
Lucy: You paid mom to disappear!
Lucy pulled a thick stack of folded papers out of the envelope.
Her tiny hands shook so hard that several pages fell to the floor.
Mark walked toward the child with a racing heart and open hands.
Lucy: She kept every check!
Lucy: She's dying in the hospital tonight!
Mark reached out and took the top document from Lucy's pale fingers.
His eyes scanned the heavy paper as his breath caught in his chest.
It was a legal bank check written for fifty thousand dollars.
The signature at the bottom belonged clearly to Victoria Hale.
There were dozens of similar checks tied together with a faded ribbon.
Victoria lunged forward suddenly like a desperate predator protecting a lie.
Victoria: Give me those!
Mark: Get away from her!
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