Chapter 1 – The Locked Door
Chapter 1 – The Locked Door
The knot in my stomach tightened with every passing second.
"Ellie!" I called, trying to keep my voice calm.
No answer.
The music was about to begin. Guests were taking their seats. Somewhere behind the bridal suite, the wedding coordinator counted down the final moments before the ceremony.
Ryan caught up to me.
"Daniel, what's wrong?"
"I can't find Ellie."
His smile disappeared instantly.
"We'll split up."
Within moments, my brother, my sister Melissa, and two members of the estate staff began searching every corner of the property.
The playground.
The rose garden.
The guest house.
Nothing.
Then—
A tiny sound.
"...Daddy..."
So faint I almost imagined it.
I stopped walking.
"There."
Ryan turned.
"What?"
I listened carefully.
A muffled cry.
"Daddy..."
It came from the pool house.
We sprinted across the lawn.
The pool house was empty except for a storage hallway leading to a small bathroom.
The door was locked.
"Daddy!"
Ellie's frightened voice came from inside.
I slammed my shoulder against the door.
"Ellie! Sweetheart!"
She burst into tears.
"I can't get out!"
Ryan grabbed a heavy bronze umbrella stand.
"Move."
CRACK.
The lock shattered.
The door flew open.
Ellie sat curled on the floor, hugging her knees.
Mascara streaked her tiny face.
Her flower basket lay overturned beside her.
She launched herself into my arms.
I held her tightly.
"I'm here."
She trembled uncontrollably.
"I was so scared."
I kissed her forehead.
"It's okay now."
"No..."
She looked up with tear-filled eyes.
"Vanessa put me in here."
Everything inside me froze.
Ryan stared.
"What?"
Ellie sniffled.
"She said... she said I was ruining her perfect wedding."
The words hit harder than any punch.
"What exactly did she say?"
Ellie hesitated.
"She told me..."
She swallowed.
"Today isn't about you anymore."
"After I marry your daddy, you'll have to learn your place."
"Good girls stay quiet."
"If you tell anyone, nobody will believe you."
I felt my heartbeat pounding in my ears.
There had to be some mistake.
Vanessa?
The woman who volunteered with children?
The woman who promised to love my daughter?
No.
It couldn't be.
Unless...
Ryan noticed something on the bathroom floor.
A pearl earring.
One identical to the pair Vanessa was wearing.
Neither of us spoke.
Outside, the music changed.
The bridal march had begun.
May you like
The ceremony was starting.
Without the groom.
