The morning light streamed through the stained glass windows of the grand estate high on the hill.
Catering staff moved quickly down the wide hallways carrying heavy silver trays filled with crystal glasses.
David stood near the main staircase while adjusting the black bow tie around his crisp white collar.
He looked at his polished shoes and took a deep breath before the guests arrived.
Everything about this wedding had been planned down to the smallest luxury detail over the last six months.
His fiancé Evelyn had chosen the grand mansion because it matched her high social standing in the city.
David only wanted a simple gathering with his small family and closest lifelong friends.
However he wanted to make Evelyn happy after everything they had worked toward together.
His eight year old daughter Lily ran across the slick marble floor wearing a tiny lace dress.
Lily: Daddy, have you seen Grandma Clara anywhere in the main ballroom yet?
David: She was getting dressed in her guest room just an hour ago, sweetheart.
Lily: She promised she would help me pin this little silk flower onto my dress.
David: Go check the hallway near the library while I finish talking to the minister.
Lily nodded her head quickly and scampered toward the quiet back corridor of the ground floor.
The noise from the main ballroom faded away as she walked past the heavy wooden doors.
She stopped near the old utility closet tucked under the grand staircase near the back garden entrance.
A soft thumping noise came from inside the thick oak door along the wall.
Lily: Is someone inside that room right now?
Clara: Lily, is that you out there in the hallway, my sweet girl?
Lily: Grandma! Why are you inside the dark storage closet on Daddy's wedding day?
Clara: The door was locked from the outside while I was grabbing extra dress pins!
Lily rattled the cold brass handle with both of her small hands as hard as she could.
The thick deadbolt stayed firmly in place no matter how hard she pulled on the knob.
Lily: Do not worry Grandma, I am going to find something heavy to break this open!
Clara: Be careful near the tool chest in the hallway closet, my dear child!
Lily looked around the corridor and saw a small brass hammer sitting inside a nearby maintenance toolbox.
She lifted the heavy tool with both hands and raised it toward the golden lock plate.
Tears filled her eyes as she struck the metal handle with all the power in her body.
A loud clanging sound echoed through the long empty corridor with every single hit she made.
Lily: Open up right now so my Grandma can come out!