Chapter 7
Lily nodded bravely, wiping a tear from her rosy cheek with the back of her sleeve. She raised the tiny floral purse with both hands, her small fingers reaching for the golden clasp.
"NO! DON'T OPEN THAT BAG!" Victoria screamed hysterically, her face contorting into a hideous mask of pure, unbridled terror.
Losing all control, Victoria lunged forward. Her high heels dug into the marble floor, her white satin wedding gown billowing around her as she threw her entire body weight toward the five-year-old child. Her manicured hands hooked like claws, reaching desperately to snatch the pink floral handbag before the gold clasp could click open.
She was fast, driven by the absolute instinct of self-preservation.
But Daniel was faster.
Before Victoria’s fingers could even brush the fabric of the purse, Daniel reacted with terrifying, physical violence. He didn't just block her; he stood up to his full six-foot-two height, stepping directly into her path. His massive, tattooed right hand shot out like a steel vise, clamping firmly around Victoria’s slender wrist mid-air.
The impact stopped her dead in her tracks.
Victoria let out a sharp, painful gasp as Daniel’s grip locked around her arm. He didn't flinch. His broad shoulders blocked her view of Lily entirely, placing his body as an unbreakable barrier between the bride and his child.
"Get your hands off my family," Daniel growled, his deep voice vibrating with a dark, lethal threat that made the surrounding air feel thick and heavy.
With a powerful, dismissive shove, Daniel forced Victoria’s reaching hand aside, pushing her back several feet. Victoria stumbled backward, barely maintaining her balance in her high heels, clutching her bruised wrist against the front of her crystal-embroidered gown. Her elaborate blonde updo finally collapsed, strands of hair falling wildly around her pale, sweating face.
"Daniel, please!" Victoria sobbed hysterically, her arrogant composure completely destroyed. She fell to her knees on the marble floor, looking up at him with wide, terrified eyes. "Don't look at it! I beg you, don't look at it! It's a mistake! It's all a misunderstanding!"
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Daniel paid her no mind. He stood protectively beside Lily, his chest heaving under his unbuttoned suit shirt, his dark eyes fixed entirely on the small pink purse in his daughter's hands.
"Open it, Lily," Daniel commanded quietly, his voice laced with a cold, terrifying authority that filled the vast, silent foyer.
