Victoria: Marcus, do you know this filthy child? Tell me you don't know her!
Marcus: Lily... where is your mother? Where is Clara?
Lily: Mommy... Mommy wouldn't wake up this morning, Daddy. The landlord said we had to leave the apartment because the rent wasn't paid. I took baby Emma and ran here.
Victoria: This is insane! Someone call the police and remove these street urchins from my ceremony!
Marcus: Don't you dare touch them!
Marcus dropped to his knees right on the polished marble floor, completely unbothered by his tailored tuxedo trousers touching the dust on the young girl's feet. He wrapped his arms around Lily and the little baby girl, pulling them both tightly against his chest.
Lily: I searched for your picture in the newspaper, Daddy. A lady at the bus stop showed me where the wealthy people get married today.
Marcus: Shh, it's okay. You're safe now. I'm right here.
Victoria: Marcus! Stand up right this instance! Look at your family sitting in the front row! Look at the mayor! You are embarrassing me in front of all of Dallas!
Marcus: Clara... Clara was supposed to be in Oregon. She told me three years ago that she was moving away and wanted nothing to do with me!
Lily: Mommy never went to Oregon, Daddy. We lived in a tiny room on 4th Street. She worked two jobs until she got too sick last month.
Marcus closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face as the realization hit him like a physical blow. He looked up at Victoria, whose face was red with fury.
Marcus: You knew. Didn't you?
Victoria: Don't look at me like that! I have no idea what you're talking about!
Marcus: Three years ago, Clara disappeared overnight right after I signed the merger contract with your father's firm. You told me she took a check and left town!
Victoria: She was a distraction! You were building an empire with my family, Marcus! A broke waitress didn't fit into your future!
A collective murmur went through the crowd. Victoria's mother stood up from the front row, her diamond necklace sparkling under the harsh lights.
Mrs. Sterling: Victoria, quiet down! You are making a scene!
Victoria: I don't care! Marcus, you drop those kids and get back under this arch right now, or my father will pull every dime of investment from your company by five o'clock!





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