Two local police officers in dark blue uniforms entered through the chapel entrance doors, their heavy boots thudding against the hardwood floor.
Officer Davis: Mr. Alex Vance?
Alex: Right here, Officer.
Officer Davis: We received a report of financial fraud and unauthorized wire transfers from your legal team ten minutes ago.
Alex: The primary suspect is standing right there in the lace wedding dress, Officer. And her accomplice is sitting in the front row.
Jessica let out a horrified shriek as Officer Davis stepped up the altar steps toward her.
Jessica: No! Get away from me! This is my wedding day! You can't arrest a bride on her wedding day!
Officer Davis: Miss Jessica Miller, you are under arrest for grand larceny, wire fraud, and criminal conspiracy.
He pulled her arms behind her back, clicking the cold steel handcuffs around her wrists over her lace sleeves.
Jessica: Alex! Look at me! Tell them to stop! I love you! I swear I love you!
Alex: You loved my money, Jessica. You never cared about me for a single second.
The second police officer walked over to Linda, pulling her up from her pew seat.
Officer Davis: Mrs. Linda Miller, you are also being detained as a co-conspirator in the offshore wire transfers.
Linda: I am a mother of the bride! You can't put handcuffs on me in front of these people!
Officer Davis: Ma'am, place your hands behind your back right now or I will add resisting arrest to your charges.
The entire chapel watched in awe as the bride and her mother were led down the center aisle in handcuffs, their expensive dresses trailing along the hardwood floor.
As Jessica passed Sophie and her mother, she turned her tear-streaked face toward the toddler with pure hatred in her eyes.
Jessica: You little ruined my whole life!
Sophie pulled her brown teddy bear tighter against her chest and hid her face in her mother's dress.
Alex stepped in front of Jessica, blocking her view of the small child completely.
Alex: Don't you dare look at her, Jessica. She saved my life today.
Jessica: You're going to regret this, Alex! You'll be lonely for the rest of your life!
Alex: I'd rather be lonely for ten lifetimes than spend one single day married to a thief like you.
The double doors slammed shut behind the police officers, leaving the chapel in sudden, profound quietness.
Alex walked back toward the front pews, where Sarah was holding little Sophie in her arms.
He knelt down on the hardwood floor once again, looking softly into Sophie's tearful green eyes.
Alex: Hey there, little hero.
Sophie: Are you sad, Mr. Alex?
Alex: I was sad for a second, Sophie. But right now, I'm the luckiest man in the whole world because you were brave enough to tell the truth.
Sophie reached out her small hand, offering her brown teddy bear to Alex with a sweet smile.
Sophie: You can hold Mr. Bear if you want. He makes tears go away real fast.
Alex smiled through his own tears, taking the small teddy bear and holding it close to his heart.