Chapter 4 - The Father's Shock
The collective gasp from the wealthy wedding guests was deafening. People covered their mouths, some standing up from their elegant seats in absolute horror and disbelief.
Douglas Mercer staggered forward. The 65-year-old patriarch gripped the golden ceremonial stand to keep himself from collapsing. His eyes widened to a terrifying degree, his distinguished face turning as pale as a ghost. He stared at the healed burn scars on the neck of the woman he had buried eight months ago.
His lips trembled violently. His breathing caught in his chest.
"Caroline?" Douglas whispered, his voice cracking, completely shattered by shock.
Caroline looked past the terrified bride and met her father’s eyes. Despite her exhaustion, despite the faded blue hospital dress and her bare, bruised feet, she possessed a quiet, haunting intensity that commanded the entire room.
"Yes, Dad," Caroline said quietly.
Douglas let out a choked sob, taking a desperate step off the altar to run to his eldest daughter. But before he could reach her, Detective Marcus Vance stepped firmly out of the shadows, blocking the aisle.
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"Stay exactly where you are, Mr. Mercer," Detective Vance ordered, his voice echoing with absolute legal authority.
👉 Why did the detective stop the father from holding the daughter he thought was dead?
