Vanessa suddenly raised her voice.

"She's lying!"

Daniel looked at her with disbelief.

"My eight-year-old daughter gains nothing by lying."

"She wants to ruin our wedding because she's jealous."

Ellie began crying again.

Daniel immediately held her closer.

"That's enough."

Melissa stepped beside her brother.

"I saw Vanessa take Ellie into the house."

Vanessa spun toward her.

"You only saw us talking."

Melissa shook her head.

"No."

"You looked angry."

Several bridesmaids exchanged nervous glances.

Finally...

One of them slowly stepped forward.

"I should say something."

Vanessa stared at her.

"Emily..."

Emily swallowed hard.

"I saw Vanessa lock the bathroom."

The guests erupted into whispers.

Vanessa pointed at her.

"You're confused."

"I'm not."

"You told me not to tell Daniel because you wanted the ceremony to begin without distractions."

Daniel closed his eyes.

Every excuse Vanessa offered collapsed one after another.

Then his mother quietly walked toward him carrying a small wooden box.

"I wasn't going to give you this until after the ceremony."

Daniel frowned.

"What is it?"

"It's from Emma."

His heart stopped.

She opened the box.

Inside rested a sealed envelope.

Emma's handwriting covered the front.

For Daniel... if someone ever makes Ellie feel less loved.

Daniel's hands trembled as he opened it.

Inside was a single letter.

If you're reading this...

Then someone has forgotten the promise we made together.

Our daughter must never wonder whether she comes first.

If anyone asks you to choose between love and Ellie...

Choose Ellie.

Every single time.

Because one day she'll remember who protected her.

Daniel could no longer hold back his tears.

He folded the letter carefully.

Then he looked at Vanessa one last time.

"The wedding is over."

Vanessa's knees nearly gave out.

"You can't mean that."

"I do."

"You'll regret this."

Daniel gently smiled.

"No."

"My only regret is that my daughter believed your words for even one minute."

He removed his wedding ring from his pocket.

He had never put it on.

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It landed softly on the white aisle runner.

"I will never marry someone who sees my daughter as competition."