At the end of the flower-strewn aisle stood a tall man in a crisp white suit.

He looked a little lost for a moment, but that vanished the second he saw me.

His name is Liam.

Ethan’s best friend.

My dad, in his wheelchair, insisted on giving me away.

The guests were quiet; no one noticed anything was wrong.

It’s almost funny, really. The entire guest list didn't include a single relative from Ethan’s side.

Ethan had said his family wasn’t close, and his parents were living abroad, so it wasn’t necessary.

I had rushed the wedding, but he had agreed even faster, not even willing to meet my father beforehand.

That’s why I could call Liam.

Because my dad, confined to his hospital bed, had never actually met my fiancé. It was an easy lie to tell.

The wedding was small, the ceremony simple; my dad’s health couldn’t handle being out of the hospital for too long.

With everyone watching, Liam said a heartfelt “I do.” We exchanged rings, the guests applauded, and it was over.

We took my dad back to the hospital together.

The whole way there, Dad was quietly wiping away tears.

At the time, I just thought he was sad to see me go.

It wasn't until Liam, who had been driving in silence, suddenly spoke with grave seriousness.

“Sir, please rest assured, I will be good to her for the rest of my life.”

“I swear on my life.”

Dad squeezed my hand and nodded, a small smile on his face.

Later, after we got Dad back to the hospital, his condition took a turn for the worse.

Listening to his broken, final words, I felt like a blade had been shoved through my heart.

That’s when I learned.

After Ethan left the dressing room, he ran into my father.

To punish me for my “coldness,” he told my dad who he was.

The groom.

And that he was leaving me at the altar.

And that his daughter would never find happiness.

So Dad's quiet tears on the way back… it was because he knew everything.

Ethan’s first and only meeting with my father was a fatal blow.

It had all gone wrong anyway.

I had promised Dad would leave without any regrets.

Tears splashed onto the back of my dad’s hand, which was still holding mine tightly. Suddenly, Liam, who had been standing silently beside me, moved.

He knelt on one knee.

“Dad, please, don’t worry. I love Aubrey. I’m not just putting on a show for you, this isn’t a game. I will protect her forever.”

Dad nodded, his smile peaceful.

“I can see that…”

“It’s just… my little girl has been bullied, and her dad can’t protect her anymore… can’t stand up for her…”

Liam’s voice was deep and steady. “Dad, I’m here.”

“I will make everyone who hurt her pay the price.”

I looked up at him, stunned.

My phone, in my purse, started ringing. It was Ethan.

Liam’s expression turned to ice. He reached over and ended the call for me.

Honestly, calling Liam was a desperate, last-ditch effort.

I wouldn’t even say we knew each other well.

He had just warned me, multiple times, not to get so hung up on Ethan.

He’d told me that Ethan’s relationship with his childhood flame, Madison, wasn’t what it seemed, and that his motives for being with me weren’t pure.

I had dismissed it as him just trying to stir up trouble, and decided he was someone to avoid.

I never, ever imagined that every single word he said was the truth.