The quiet hallways of the grand estate felt strangely cold despite the warm lighting overhead.
Mark straightened his white silk tie while checking his expensive watch once again.
The entire mansion was decorated with expensive white roses for his upcoming evening ceremony.
Hundreds of wealthy guests were currently enjoying fine champagne inside the main ballroom downstairs.
Mark felt a deep sense of relief believing he was finally giving his daughter a complete home.
His late wife had passed away four years ago, leaving him alone with young Lily.
Since that painful day, Mark had dedicated every single moment of his life to his child.
When he met Victoria at a charity gala, she seemed like the perfect caring partner.
She was always soft-spoken and seemed to adore little Lily whenever Mark was watching.
Yet as the wedding hour drew closer, a strange feeling of unease lingered in his heart.
He walked up the grand staircase toward the family guest rooms to check on his daughter.
Lily was supposed to be wearing her pink flower dress and waiting with her nanny.
However, when Mark reached the private guest wing, the long carpeted hallway was completely empty.
The quietness felt wrong, pushing a sudden wave of worry straight into his chest.
Mark: Lily, where are you?
His voice echoed off the high ceiling without receiving any answer from the dark corridor.
Mark walked faster down the hall, looking into several empty bedrooms along the way.
Mark: Sweetheart, answer your father!
He started to panic as he realized his daughter was nowhere to be seen.
Then he caught the faint sound of muffled crying coming from behind a heavy wooden door.
The door belonged to a small storage room located at the very end of the hall.
Mark grabbed the golden brass handle and twisted it with all his strength.
The heavy handle refused to turn because the solid door was locked tight from the outside.
Mark: Lily, are you in there?
Lily: Daddy, please help me get out!
Hearing her small trembling voice sent a sudden chill straight through Mark's entire body.
Mark: Stand away from the door right now!
He raised his leg and kicked hard against the heavy lock with all his strength.
The wood splinters flew into the room as the lock finally broke with a loud crash.
Mark rushed inside the small, dark room, his heart hammering against his ribs.
Lily was sitting alone on the cold floor, hugging her knees tightly to her chest.
Her pretty pink flower dress was wrinkled, and her hair ribbon had been pulled away.
Mark knelt on the dusty floor and wrapped his strong arms around his trembling child.
Mark: What happened in here, my sweet girl?
Lily: Daddy, please do not marry Victoria today!
Mark pulled back slightly, staring into his child's red and tear-filled eyes.
Mark: Why are you saying that about Victoria?
Lily: She dragged me into this dark room and locked the door from the outside!