Chapter 4 - The Lie on the Altar
"I'm here," the father breathes, his face buried in her small brown bun. "I'm here, baby."
Lily’s arms whip around his neck, her tiny fingers digging into the torn collar of his shirt.
Her quiet shock breaks into a ragged scream.
"Daddy!"
He pulls back, his trembling hands cupping her cheeks.
Red smears appear on her skin from the small cuts on his palms. He doesn't notice.
He wipes her tears with his thumb, over and over, his own eyes bloodshot and wide.
Julian pushes himself up from the wet floor, wiping water from his face.
His navy jacket is ruined, soaked through and covered in crushed green stems.
"He's crazy!" Julian shouts to the room, pointing at the father. "He's an unfit parent! He abandoned her two years ago!"
Guests are standing now, phones raised, filming the water spreading across the aisle.
Vanessa steps behind Julian, her white dress dragging through the pool of murky water and glass.
"Take the child from him!" Vanessa screams, her voice losing its gentle pitch. "He's breaking the law!"
The father doesn't look at them. He keeps his gaze locked on Lily’s face.
"They took my locket, Daddy," Lily whimpers, her body trembling against his chest.
"Uncle Julian stepped on Mommy's secret."
The father’s gaze drops to the dust-covered silver heart lying in the water near his knee.
He picks it up, wrapping his fingers around it until the sharp metal edges bite into his skin.
Lily looks up into her father's eyes, her voice small, carrying across the silent hall.
"Uncle Julian said Mommy went to sleep in the dirt," she whispers.
"He said Mommy gave me to him because she didn't want a loud girl."
The father’s jaw sets so hard a vein bulges along his temple.
"Daddy says mommy is gone," Lily repeats, her voice trembling as she points a small, damp finger at Julian.
The father presses his forehead against hers.
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"No, sweetheart," he says, his voice low, steady, and loud enough to hit every corner of the room.
"Your mother is still alive."
