Daniel walked into the backyard carrying Ellie in his arms.

The string quartet stopped playing.

Nearly two hundred guests turned toward him, confused by the sudden silence.

Vanessa stood beneath the rose-covered arch in her elegant white gown, wearing the smile she had practiced for months.

The smile disappeared the moment she saw Ellie clinging to Daniel's neck.

The officiant cleared his throat.

"Daniel... everyone is waiting."

Daniel didn't answer.

Instead, he slowly walked down the aisle—not toward the altar, but toward Vanessa.

Ryan followed a few steps behind.

Melissa, Daniel's mother, and several family members gathered close, sensing something was terribly wrong.

Vanessa forced a gentle smile.

"Daniel, where have you been? We were worried."

Daniel looked directly into her eyes.

"So was I."

She laughed nervously.

"I'm sure Ellie wandered off."

Ellie buried her face against Daniel's shoulder.

Daniel tightened his hold on her.

"No."

His voice remained calm.

"She didn't wander anywhere."

Vanessa's expression barely changed.

"What do you mean?"

Daniel knelt so Ellie no longer had to look at the crowd.

"You don't have to be afraid anymore."

Ellie nodded quietly.

Daniel stood again.

Then he asked the question loudly enough for the first few rows to hear.

"Why was my daughter locked inside the downstairs bathroom?"

Complete silence.

Vanessa blinked once.

"What?"

"The powder room."

"I... I don't know what you're talking about."

Daniel didn't look away.

"She says you told her to stay there until you became Mrs. Callahan."

Gasps spread through the guests.

Vanessa immediately shook her head.

"Daniel, she's a child."

Ellie flinched.

"Children misunderstand things."

Daniel's eyes darkened.

"My daughter doesn't invent fear."

Vanessa reached for his arm.

"You need to calm down."

He stepped backward before she could touch him.

"I am calm."

"You're embarrassing both of us."

"No."

Daniel answered quietly.

"You embarrassed yourself."

Vanessa looked around, realizing people were watching.

She quickly forced tears into her eyes.

"I've spent two years loving both of you."

Ryan folded his arms.

"Then explain why Ellie was crying so hard she could barely breathe."

Vanessa hesitated.

Only for a second.

Then she smiled sadly.

"I asked her to stay inside for a surprise."

Daniel stared at her.

"A surprise?"

"Yes."

"I wanted to reveal a special gift during the ceremony."

Ellie slowly shook her head.

"No..."

Everyone turned toward the little girl.

Vanessa's smile stiffened.

Ellie whispered,

"You said Daddy wouldn't love me the same anymore."

The backyard became perfectly silent.

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Even the birds seemed to stop singing.

Vanessa's face lost every trace of color.