Chapter 1: Ten Minutes Before Forever
Ten minutes before walking down the aisle, I caught my fiancée yanking my little girl's hair and sl\*pping her across the face—and then I heard the cruel words she hissed in her ear.
I was searching for my six-year-old, Sophie, who was supposed to be my flower girl and walk by my side.
Muffled sobs echoed from behind the closed bridal suite door.
"Please stop…
I want my daddy!"
I threw the door open, completely frozen by the sight before me.
Vanessa, the woman I was moments away from marrying, had her fingers coiled tightly into Sophie's pigtails.
Before my brain could process it, her hand flew across my daughter's cheek with a sharp snap.
Sophie dropped her head into her hands, trembling uncontrollably.
Vanessa leaned down, her voice cold and threatening.
"The moment we get married, you will address me as Mom and obey every command."
Sophie sobbed, pulling back.
"I already have a mommy."
Vanessa yanked her hair tighter.
"Mention that again after today, and you'll see what happens."
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY DAUGHTER!"
Vanessa spun toward me, the color instantly draining from her face as her mouth fell open.
Sophie broke free, running across the room and burying her face into my chest.
"Daddy, please…
don't marry her."
Vanessa stepped forward desperately, hands raised in defense.
"Daniel, wait!
She was having a meltdown.
You're misinterpreting what you saw."
I pointed directly at the angry red handprint blooming across Sophie's skin.
"I stood right there and watched you strike her."
"It was just a light sl\*p!"
Her words severed every single thread of affection I had left for her.
Without a word, I reached down, grabbed the delicate lace train of her designer gown, and tore it right up the middle.
Vanessa let out a piercing shriek that echoed down the hallway, drawing the wedding planner and a dozen stunned guests into the room.
"He's losing his mind!" Vanessa wailed, crocodile tears spilling down her face.
"Somebody call the police!"
Sophie clutched my suit jacket with all her strength, her voice shaking violently.
"Daddy…
she did something even worse while you were away on your work trip."
Vanessa's fake crying instantly stopped, her eyes wide with sudden terror.
I dropped to one knee and looked into Sophie's tear-filled eyes.
"What did she do, sweetie?"
Sophie lifted a small finger toward the designer leather tote resting on the vanity chair.
"She forced me to sign some papers, and she swore she'd h\*rt me if I told you."
Vanessa lunged toward the chair, but I cut her off and grabbed the bag first.
I pulled out a thick legal folder labeled with Sophie's full name—and stamped across the bottom was a forged signature mimicking my exact handwriting.
Sophie pressed her face into my neck and whispered, "Daddy…
Vanessa said those papers mean you can never take me away from her."
Vanessa backed against the wall, staring at the folder in my hands, completely paralyzed with fear.
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What was in those papers — and what else did Vanessa do to Sophie while Daniel was away?
Comment **"NEXT"** if you want Part 2.
