Clara: What is she talking about, David? Who is this child?
David: Clara, baby, listen to me. She’s just some street kid or a crazy prankster. Security! Someone call security right now and get her out!
Little Girl: I’m not a prankster! My name is Lily! Look at the paper, lady! Look at it!
I stepped away from David, ignoring his outstretched hand as I walked down the altar steps toward the little girl. My wedding gown dragged along the damp floor, but I didn't care. I knelt down in front of her, my knees hitting the cold stone floor.
Clara: Sweetheart, calm down. Take a breath. Who gave you this?
Lily: My dad gave it to me before he... before he stopped breathing yesterday. He told me to find Clara Jenkins in Dallas and give her this envelope. He said David was going to steal everything.
David: Don't touch that envelope, Clara! It's fake! It's a scam to ruin our wedding day!
Clara: Shut up, David! Let her speak!
Lily: My dad's name was Michael. Michael Jenkins. He had a tattoo of a red rose on his left wrist with the name 'Clara' inside it.
A cold shiver ran down my spine. Nobody knew about that tattoo except Michael and me. It was a private design we created together on our wedding anniversary six years ago. Tears began to well up in my eyes as I looked at the tiny, terrified face in front of me.
Clara: Michael... he had that tattoo. How do you know about that?
Lily: Because he was my dad! He was kept in a small house near the old lumber mill outside the city. He couldn't leave. This man kept him there!
She pointed her small, trembling finger directly at David. David took a step back, sweat glistening on his forehead under the bright church lights. My maid of honor rushed forward, holding her breath in shock.
Maid of Honor: Clara, this is insane. Is this real?
Clara: David... answer me right now. Why does she know Michael's full name and his private tattoo?
David: I don't know! Maybe she searched online! Maybe someone hired her to destroy us! You know how many enemies my investment firm has!
Lily: He's lying! Look at the check inside! He paid the guard every month to keep my dad trapped!
I snatched the envelope from Lily's hands. My fingers were shaking so violently I could barely open the flap. Inside was a cancelled bank check for three thousand dollars, made out to a private security firm, signed in David's unmistakable handwriting. Attached to it was a folded piece of lined notebook paper covered in faint, messy writing.
Clara: This... this is David's signature. And this handwriting on the note...
David: Clara, don't read that! Give that to me right now!
David lunged forward to grab the paper, but my brother stepped in front of him, pushing David back hard against the wooden altar rail.
Brother: Touch her and I'll break your neck, David. Let her read it.
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