When my ex-husband Leo said he wanted to reconnect with our daughter Lily, I thought he was finally ready to be the father she deserved. I packed her little backpack with pajamas, snacks, her favorite teddy bear, and a dress she loved, hoping for a happy weekend together. After three years of absence, I wanted her to feel his love, and I tried to trust him.

On Saturday, he sent pictures of Lily at the park, smiling and laughing. For a moment, I felt hope—maybe he truly wanted to spend time with her. But on Sunday, my sister called with a warning.

A quick look at social media revealed the truth: Leo had used Lily as a flower girl in his wedding photos without telling me. At the venue, I found Lily sitting quietly, hugging her teddy bear, confused by what was happening. I scooped her up and reassured her she was safe.

I calmly told Leo and his new partner that our daughter should never be used for photos or social media without her understanding. Some guests supported me, making it clear this was the right decision. By the next morning, the wedding photos were removed from social media, and I was grateful my sister had called in time.

Lily was home safely, and I knew I had protected her best interests. Leo won’t have unsupervised time with our daughter until he demonstrates he understands what it means to be a responsible and caring father.