Chapter 10 - The Shockwave of Truth
The entire ballroom erupted into chaos,
guests standing up from their tables,
whispering loudly,
pointing at the stage,
demanding to know the full story.
Vanessa's mother rushed forward,
trying to intervene,
trying to save the wedding of the century,
"Julian,
please,
think about the family reputation!"
But Julian heard nothing,
his focus was entirely on the little girl,
his daughter,
whom he had never known existed,
whom he had been told died in the womb.
He fell to his knees in front of her,
tears finally escaping his eyes,
rolling down his cheeks,
as he reached out with trembling hands.
"What is your name,
sweetheart?"
he asked softly,
his voice cracking with a father's love,
a love that had been buried for five long years.
"Lily,"
the little girl whispered,
looking at him with a mixture of fear and hope,
"My name is Lily."
Julian wept openly,
pulling the child into a gentle embrace,
holding her close to his heart,
feeling her warmth,
feeling her reality.
Vanessa watched them,
her face twisted with hatred,
knowing her dream of wealth and power was fading,
slipping through her fingers,
May you like
destroyed by a single,
shattered glass.
