Chapter 3 - Shattered Glass
The double doors vibrate against their brass latches.
Another strike follows, harder this time—metal groaning against wood.
The security guard near the entrance reaches for his earpiece, taking a half-step forward.
The doors burst inward with a deafening crack.
The left door slams against the wainscoting, leaving a deep dent in the white paint.
A man charges into the hall.
His three-piece charcoal suit is disheveled, the top buttons torn away to reveal a sweat-stained neck.
His tie hangs loose, dragging across his shoulder.
"Lily!"
Julian’s face hardens. "Security! Stop him!"
The guard steps into the aisle, reaching for his belt.
The father doesn't slow down.
He drives his body straight into the guard’s chest, the impact sounding like a hollow drum.
The guard stumbles back into table four, sending a silver ice bucket flying.
Ice cubes and chilled water spray across the lap of a woman in silk.
The father sprints down the center aisle, his dress shoes slipping on the wet floor near the flowers.
Julian steps directly onto the runner, spreading his arms to block the path.
"You have a restraining order, legal trash—"
The father doesn't negotiate.
He grabs Julian by the lapels of his navy suit and drives his weight forward.
Julian’s heels lose traction.
He crashes backward into the main altar arrangement.
A six-foot glass vase filled with white lilies topples over.
It hits the marble step and shatters into a thousand sharp, glittering shards.
Water rushes over the white runner, turning the fabric transparent and gray.
The father hits his knees right in front of Lily, ignoring the broken glass cutting through his trousers.
May you like
His hands fly out, grasping Lily’s tiny shoulders.
He pulls her into his chest so hard her breath leaves her in a small gasp.
