At the Altar, My Daughter Begged Me Not to Leave Her With My New Wife—What Happened Next Left Us All in Tears (2 of 4)

“She’s not here to take Mommy’s place,” I said gently. “She’s just someone who wants to care for us.”

But Sophie buried her face in my jacket, refusing to believe it.

The ceremony unfolded in our backyard—quiet, intimate. My bride, Hannah, looked radiant, her voice steady as she promised love and loyalty. I knew her words extended to Sophie, but my little girl stayed silent, guarded.

Later, I found Sophie tugging at the lace of her dress on the porch swing. “I don’t want a new mom,” she whispered. “I just want Mommy.”

My chest ached. “I know, sweetheart. I miss her too.”

The First Weeks

After the wedding, the air in the house felt heavy. Hannah moved in cautiously, careful not to disrupt routines. She gave Sophie space, hoping patience would build bridges. But every effort—every kind word—was met with one-word replies or Sophie slipping away.

One night, Hannah sat across from me at the kitchen table. Her shoulders slumped. “Do you think she’ll ever let me in?”

“It’s not you,” I told her. “She just hasn’t figured out how to open that door yet. Give her time.”

Hannah’s voice broke. “I don’t want to replace Emily. I just want Sophie to know I care.”

That gave me an idea.

A Box From the Past

The next day, I pulled a dusty cardboard box from the attic—crayon drawings, photos, videos of Emily with Sophie. I handed it to Hannah.