Vanessa grabbed her wrist.
Hard.
Emily cried out.
Nathan stepped toward the camera instinctively, as though he could reach through the screen.
Vanessa pulled the necklace free.
Emily began crying.
“Give Mommy back!”
“Stop saying that!”
Vanessa’s voice snapped through the speaker.
The entire room in the video went silent.
Then Vanessa crouched in front of Emily.
“Listen to me carefully.”
Emily was sobbing.
“After today, I am your mother.”
Nathan felt cold.
Vanessa continued.
“There will be no more carrying Sarah around this house like she's coming back.”
Emily shook her head.
“You’re not my mommy.”
Vanessa’s face changed.
“You need to stop saying that.”
“I want Daddy.”
“He is getting ready to marry me.”
“I want Daddy!”
Vanessa grabbed Emily by both shoulders.
“If you embarrass me during this ceremony, I promise you won't like what happens afterward.”
Nathan’s brother whispered, “Jesus.”
The recording continued.
Emily tried to walk toward the door.
Vanessa blocked her.
“You are going to smile.”
Emily cried harder.
“You are going to walk down that aisle.”
“No.”
“You are going to call me Mom when people ask.”
“No!”
Vanessa’s hand moved.
There was a sharp sound.
Emily stumbled sideways.
Nathan stopped the video.
His hands were shaking.
“Did she hit her?”
Lucas swallowed.
“Keep watching.”
Nathan pressed play.
Emily touched her cheek.
Vanessa seemed to realize what she had done.
She looked toward the door.
Then toward the bridesmaids.
“Everyone out.”
Nobody moved.
“I said out.”
The women left.
Lucas’s camera angle shifted slightly.
He had apparently been filming through the partially open door from the hallway.
Vanessa grabbed Emily by the upper arm.
Emily screamed.
“Daddy!”
Vanessa dragged her toward a small service room attached to the bridal suite.
“You can come out when you decide to stop ruining my wedding.”
“No! Daddy!”
Vanessa pushed Emily inside.
Then shut the door.
Nathan stared at the screen.
There was a click.
She had locked it.
Nathan was already moving.
“Where is she?”
Lucas followed.
“Last I saw, still there.”
Nathan ran.
His brother shouted his name.
Nathan didn't answer.
Guests in the hallway turned as the groom sprinted past them.
Someone laughed, assuming it was part of the wedding.
Nathan reached the bridal suite and pushed through the door.
Vanessa wasn't there.