The wedding guests stood up from their seats, whispering loudly as they watched the mighty Vance family crumble right on the altar floor.
Guest 1: Did you hear that? The Vance family was living on rented military land this whole time!
Guest 2: Julian thought he was so high and mighty, and now he's lost everything in five minutes!
Guest 3: Serves them right for treating that poor girl like garbage!
Victoria turned her head, glaring fiercely at the guests in the pews.
Victoria: Shut up! All of you, get out of our venue!
Arthur: Actually, Mrs. Vance, this venue was booked under my daughter's credit card this morning.
Victoria: What?!
Arthur: Lily paid the fifty thousand dollar hall deposit out of her personal savings account three months ago. So technically, you are trespassing on her reserved event space.
Lily: Father, I want them gone.
Arthur: You heard my daughter. Clear the hall immediately.
Captain Miller stepped forward, gesturing toward the main doors with his white-gloved hand.
Captain Miller: Mr. Vance, Mrs. Vance, please exit the premises peacefully, or my team will assist you to the parking lot.
Victoria: This is a disgrace! I have never been so insulted in my entire life!
Richard: Shut up, Victoria! Just walk before they put us in handcuffs!
Richard grabbed his wife's arm, dragging her down the white aisle past two hundred staring eyes. Julian stumbled up from the floor, wiping his bloody nose with his sleeve as he followed his parents out into the afternoon heat.
Julian: Lily! I'll call you! I'll make this right, I promise!
Lily: Don't ever call my phone again, Julian.
The grand double doors shut behind the disgraced Vance family, locking them out of the mansion for good.
Arthur: Are you okay, sweetheart?
Lily: I'm better than okay, Dad. I'm free.
Arthur wrapped his strong arms around his daughter, holding her close as she let out a long, quiet breath against his crisp white uniform.
Arthur: You deserve a man who looks at you like you're the whole world, Lily. Never settle for less.
Lily: I know, Dad. Thank you for coming for me.
Arthur: Always, baby. Always.