Chapter 1
Ten minutes before I said “I do,” my seven-year-old daughter handed me a crumpled note and whispered, “Rebecca said I have to leave forever.” Then I recognized my bride’s handwriting.
I found Emily crying behind the chapel while nearly two hundred guests waited inside.
Her white flower-girl dress was wrinkled, and the flowers in her hair were falling loose.
I dropped to one knee.
“Sweetheart, what happened?”
She looked toward the chapel doors before pressing a folded piece of paper into my hand.
“Rebecca gave me this.”
My stomach tightened.
Rebecca was the woman I was supposed to marry in ten minutes.
For two years, she had helped Emily with homework, attended school concerts, and promised she would never try to replace Emily’s late mother.
I unfolded the note.
After the wedding, you will live somewhere better suited for children like you.
Do not upset your father.
He has already agreed.
I read it twice.
Then Emily asked the question that nearly broke me.
“Did you agree, Daddy?”
“No.”
She searched my face.
“Then why did Rebecca say you signed something?”
I froze.
“What did she say I signed?”
Before Emily could answer, the chapel doors opened.
Rebecca appeared in her wedding gown.
Her smile stayed perfect until she noticed the paper in my hand.
Then something changed in her eyes.
“Daniel,” she said softly, “everyone is waiting.”
I stood with Emily still holding my hand.
“What is this?”
Rebecca glanced at my daughter.
“Emily misunderstood.”
“She says you told her she’s leaving after we get married.”
Rebecca lowered her voice.
“This isn’t the place.”
“Then explain it quickly.”
Her smile disappeared.
Behind her, Rebecca’s mother stepped out of the chapel.
“Daniel, please don’t ruin your wedding because a child is having an emotional moment.”
Emily moved behind me.
That was enough.
I reached for my phone.
Rebecca suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“Don’t call anyone.”
I stared at her.
“Why not?”
Then Emily pulled another folded document from the pocket of her dress.
“I took this from Rebecca’s bag.”
Rebecca went completely pale.
I opened it.
At the top was the name of a private residential school three states away.
Below it was Emily’s information.
And at the bottom was a signature that looked almost exactly like mine.
Almost.
May you like
Then I noticed the enrollment date.
Rebecca had arranged for my daughter to be picked up the morning after our honeymoon began.
