Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: The Wedding Morning
On the morning of the wedding, Whitmore Manor looked like a dream.White roses covered the entrance. Gold chairs lined the grand hall. The fountain in the courtyard sparkled under the sun.Lily stood in a dressing room wearing her little white flower-girl dress. Lucas had chosen it himself. A satin bow tied at her waist, and her curls were pinned with tiny pearl clips.“You look like a princess,” Lucas said.Lily smiled, but it did not reach her eyes.Lucas knelt in front of her. “What’s wrong?”She looked toward the door. “Can I stay with you today?”“Of course.”“All day?”“As much as you want.”Lily’s lower lip trembled. “Even after the wedding?”Lucas held her shoulders gently. “Especially after the wedding.”Before he could ask more, Vanessa’s maid of honor appeared.“Lucas, they need you downstairs for photos.”Lucas kissed Lily’s forehead. “I’ll be right back.”The moment he left, Vanessa entered.Her wedding gown filled the room like a cloud. Diamonds glittered at her ears. Her makeup was perfect.Everyone told her she looked angelic.Lily thought angels must have warmer eyes.Vanessa dismissed the bridesmaids with a smile.Then she closed the door.“Where is the letter?” Lily asked bravely.Vanessa looked at her reflection in the mirror. “Still thinking about that?”“It belongs to Daddy.”“It belongs to the past.”“My mommy wrote it.”Vanessa turned slowly. “Your mommy is gone.”Lily flinched.Vanessa walked closer. “Today is about my future with your father. Not about you. Not about Grace. Not about sad little memories everyone has to tiptoe around.”Lily’s eyes filled with tears. “Daddy said I’m part of the wedding.”Vanessa smiled.“Not anymore.”
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