“DADDY!”

Ruby fell onto the polished marble floor.

Her pale-pink party dress spread around her small body as she grabbed her injured leg with both hands.

Tears poured down her cheeks.

And standing above her was the woman I had planned to marry.

Lucinda.

She was wearing the burgundy dress I had bought her for our engagement celebration.

Her braided hair was arranged in an elegant updo.

Her diamond earrings sparkled beneath the chandeliers.

But there was nothing beautiful about her expression.

“Stop pretending!” she shouted at my daughter.

Ruby curled into herself.

“It hurts!”

“You’re always looking for attention!”

“Please, Lucinda!”

“Get up!”

That was when I reached the doorway.

I had been speaking with the restaurant manager about our guests when I heard Ruby crying.

At first, I thought she had accidentally hurt herself.

Then I saw the white medical brace lying several feet away.

One of its thick straps was hanging loose.

And Ruby was on the floor.

My heart nearly stopped.

“RUBY!”

I rushed across the room.

The guests moved out of my way.

I dropped to my knees beside her.

“Baby, don’t move.”

Her small hands immediately grabbed my black suit jacket.

“Daddy!”

“I’m here.”

I carefully supported her injured leg without trying to straighten it.

She cried harder.

“It hurts, Daddy!”

“I know, sweetheart. I know.”

I looked at her ankle.

The area beneath the brace was swollen.

Her doctor had warned me that the injury needed protection while the bone healed.

One wrong movement could cause serious complications.

And someone had just forcibly removed the device keeping her leg stable.

I looked up.

Lucinda stood with her arms crossed.

“What did you do?” I demanded.

She rolled her eyes.

“Oh, Daniel, please.”

I stared at her.

“Answer me.”

“She doesn’t need that ridiculous brace.”

For a second, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

My daughter was sobbing on the floor.

Her leg was injured.

And Lucinda was acting irritated.

“Her doctor prescribed it.”

Lucinda shrugged.

“Doctors exaggerate everything.”

I slowly stood.

I positioned myself between her and Ruby.

“Do not come any closer.”

Her expression changed.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

She stepped forward.

“Daniel, you are embarrassing me in front of everyone.”

I looked around.

Nearly eighty guests stood watching.

Some appeared horrified.

Others looked confused.

The tall white cake stood near the windows.

White flowers decorated the tables.

Gold chairs surrounded the dance floor.

Everything had been arranged perfectly for our engagement celebration.

I had spent almost thirty thousand dollars making the evening special.

But none of it mattered anymore.

My daughter was hurt.

And the woman I loved had caused it.

Lucinda lowered her voice.

“You’re letting her manipulate you again.”

I stared at her.

“She’s seven years old.”

“And she’s spoiled.”

“She has an injured leg.”

Lucinda laughed bitterly.

“She knows exactly how to make you feel guilty.”

I felt something inside me change.

For months, Lucinda had complained about Ruby.

At first, the comments seemed small.

Ruby needed too much attention.

Ruby interrupted our conversations.

Ruby was too attached to me.

Lucinda wanted more time alone.

I told myself she was struggling to adjust to becoming a stepmother.

I had been wrong.

Terribly wrong.

Ruby cried behind me.

“Daddy, please don’t leave me.”

I turned immediately.

“Never, sweetheart.”

I knelt beside her again.

Then Lucinda grabbed my shoulder.

“Daniel, look at me when I’m talking!”

I rose and stepped between them again.

“Take your hand off me.”

She tightened her grip.

“This is my party too!”

“Move away from my daughter.”

She tried to push past me.

I blocked her path with my arm.

Lucinda stepped backward.

Her heel caught the edge of a decorative tablecloth.

She stumbled into the cake table.

A vase tipped.

White flowers scattered across the marble.

The bottom tier of the enormous cake slid sideways and collapsed onto the floor.

Guests screamed.

Lucinda caught herself against the table.

Her eyes widened.

Then her face twisted with rage.

“LOOK WHAT YOU DID!”

I didn’t answer.

I had already turned toward Ruby.

The cake could be replaced.

The flowers meant nothing.

My daughter needed help.

I took out my phone.

“Call an ambulance,” I told the nearest guest.

A woman nodded quickly.

“I already did.”

I carefully lifted Ruby into my arms, supporting her injured leg.

She buried her face against my shoulder.

Her tears soaked my shirt.

“Daddy, can we go home?”

“We’re going to get you checked first, baby.”

She nodded weakly.

Behind me, Lucinda continued shouting.

“Daniel! You cannot walk out on me!”

I turned.

Her face was flushed.

Frosting stained the side of her burgundy dress.

“You hurt my daughter.”

She shook her head.

“She’s lying!”

I looked down at Ruby.

My little girl was trembling.