Mark felt his entire world spin as he processed his daughter's shocking words.
He held Lily's small trembling hands, looking carefully into her tearful young face.
Mark: Did Victoria really do this to you?
Lily: Yes, she took away the silver locket Mommy gave me before she went away.
Mark remembered that silver locket was the last physical memory Lily had of her mother.
He felt a painful tightness form in his throat as his daughter kept speaking.
Lily: She told me that once you two are married, she will send me to boarding school.
Mark: She said that to you?
Lily: She said I was taking too much of your time and money away from her.
Mark closed his eyes as pure disgust washed over his mind and soul.
He had spent the last two years believing Victoria was a kind and loving woman.
He had given her a luxury car, access to his trust funds, and unlimited freedom.
He thought she was opening her heart to his motherless child with pure love.
Instead, she had been putting on an elaborate act whenever he was standing in the room.
The moment his back was turned, she showed her true selfish and cruel nature.
Mark: Did she touch your locket, Lily?
Lily: She threw it into her purse and said I did not deserve nice things anymore.
Mark stood up slowly, a cold and dangerous quietness filling his heavy chest.
All the small strange details from the past few months suddenly made complete sense.
He remembered how Lily used to become unusually quiet whenever Victoria walked into the room.
He remembered how Victoria always urged him to send Lily away on long summer camps.
Mark had foolishly thought Victoria was just trying to build private time for their romance.
Now he saw the terrible truth behind her sweet smiles and gentle tone.
She did not love his daughter, nor did she care about his family's happiness.
She only cared about his massive inheritance and his elevated status in high society.
Mark gently lifted Lily into his arms, carrying her out of the dusty room.
Mark: You are safe with me now, my sweet girl.
Lily: Daddy, are you mad at me?
Mark: I could never be mad at you, my brave little girl.
He walked toward the main guest rooms where his old sister Clara was staying.
Clara opened her bedroom door and gasped when she saw Lily's tear-stained face.
Mark: Clara, keep Lily safe in this room and do not let anyone near her.
Clara: What on earth happened to her dress, Mark?
Mark: Victoria showed her real face today, but this wedding is over.
Clara pulled Lily into a warm embrace, nodding solemnly toward her brother.
Mark turned away, his hands clenching into hard fists at his sides.
The warm and gentle father was completely gone, replaced by a furious protector.
He adjusted his jacket as he marched toward the grand staircase leading to the chapel.