Chapter 9 - The Toast
At the reception, Daniel stood with a glass of sparkling water.
Not champagne.
He raised it.
Everyone became quiet.
“I've never liked weddings,” he said.
Everyone laughed.
“Especially mine.”
More laughter.
Daniel looked at Lily.
She smiled.
“I once believed the worst thing that could happen to me was being betrayed by someone I loved.”
He looked at Emma.
“I was wrong.”
He paused.
“The worst thing is becoming so afraid of losing people that you stop trusting anyone.”
Emma squeezed his hand.
“I learned that trust isn't about believing someone will never hurt you.”
He looked at Lily.
“It's about believing there are still good people who will tell you the truth when it matters.”
Everyone applauded.
Daniel turned toward Lily.
“This little girl changed my life.”
Lily covered her face.
“Stop!”
Everyone laughed.
Daniel smiled.
“She was six years old when she saved me.”
He lifted his glass.
“To Lily.”
Everyone raised theirs.
“To Lily!”
She stood on her chair.
“Can I say something?”
Daniel laughed.
“Of course.”
She looked at the room.
“I think grown-ups make everything too complicated.”
Everyone burst out laughing.
Lily continued.
“If someone is bad, tell someone.”
Daniel smiled.
“If someone is sad, hug them.”
Emma wiped a tear.
“And if someone slaps you…”
The room went silent.
Lily grinned.
“Make sure you have evidence.”
The entire reception erupted in laughter.
Daniel nearly choked.
Emma covered her face.
Even the older guests were laughing.
Lily sat down proudly.
Daniel looked at Emma.
“I think she just gave the best wedding speech I've ever heard.”
Emma smiled.
“She always tells the truth.”
Daniel kissed her forehead.
“That's why we're here.”
Later that night, after everyone left, Daniel and Emma stood outside.
The garden lights glowed softly.
Lily was asleep inside.
Emma rested her head against his shoulder.
“You happy?”
Daniel looked at the house.
At Lily sleeping upstairs.
At the ring on Emma's finger.
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“Very.”
Then a phone buzzed.
Daniel froze.
Emma looked at him.
“What's wrong?”
He checked the screen.
Unknown number.
One message.
SHE SAVED YOU ONCE. NOW YOU SAVE HER.
Daniel's expression changed.
Emma noticed.
“What is it?”
He showed her.
They looked toward the house.
Lily was asleep.
Daniel immediately called the police.
But before anyone arrived, another message appeared.
A photograph.
Lily sleeping.
Taken through the bedroom window.
Emma gasped.
May you like
Daniel's heart stopped.
Someone was watching them again.
