“I’m not asking you to stay for the whole thing,” he said quickly. “Just bring her by after the ceremony for an hour. Let her see me, get a few family photos, and then you can leave.”
He said it gently, not like a demand but like a father who genuinely wanted his child included.
“I’ll bring her after the ceremony,” I told Eric firmly. “We’ll stay for a short time, take photos, and then we’ll leave. No drama, no lingering.”
“Thank you,” he said serenely.
“That’s all I’m asking for.”
I agreed for Sophie’s sake and truly believed it would be simple. Little did I know that the decision would haunt me within hours. We arrived at the venue after the ceremony ended, right when guests were flowing into the reception.
The place was beautiful, with soft lights, white tents, and that warm buzz of celebration. Everything looked perfect on the surface. Sophie squeezed my hand the entire walk from the parking lot.
“Is Daddy here yet?” she whispered. “Yes, sweetheart,” I said, brushing her hair back. “He’s right inside waiting for you.”
My daughter had no idea what was waiting for her, too.
Eric spotted us almost immediately and crouched down with his arms wide. “There’s my girl!”
