Chapter 2 – The Wedding That Never Happened
Chapter 2 – The Wedding That Never Happened
The ballroom remained silent.
No one dared to speak.
Rachel reached for the microphone.
"Please... let me explain."
I stepped back.
"No."
"You've explained enough."
I unfolded Chloe's letter and finished reading it aloud.
"Daddy... I hope when you get married, I'll still get to hold your hand sometimes. I don't want you to forget me."
Several guests wiped away tears.
Rachel's own mother slowly lowered her head.
"Rachel..."
"Is this true?"
Rachel's voice shook.
"I only wanted one perfect day."
"She cries when she's nervous."
"I didn't want the ceremony interrupted."
I looked at her in disbelief.
"So you locked an eight-year-old child in a bathroom?"
"I knew she'd be safe."
"No."
"You knew she'd be invisible."
I turned to the wedding planner.
"Please stop the ceremony."
The planner nodded silently.
The musicians placed their instruments down.
The officiant quietly closed his book.
The wedding was over before the vows had even begun.
I knelt beside Chloe.
"Sweetheart..."
"Would you still like to give me your surprise?"
She smiled through her tears.
Then wrapped a handmade friendship bracelet around my wrist.
"I made it so we'd always match."
May you like
I hugged her tightly.
"This is the only wedding gift I ever needed."
