The dark phone screen lit up against Clara's wet cheek as the line rang three times.
Arthur sat in the back of his black town car three miles away from the main estate gates.
Arthur: Clara, sweetheart, why are you calling me so close to the ceremony time?
Clara: Dad, Sarah just lost her mind and ripped my dress right in front of Aunt Eleanor.
Arthur: Tell me she did not lay a hands on your body or harm the baby!
Clara: Ethan stepped in front of her, but she is shouting at everyone to leave.
Arthur pulled his brass-rimmed reading glasses off his nose and pointed at his driver.
Arthur: Turn the limousine around right now and hit the emergency lights!
Clara: She said I am trying to take over the family business and steal her moment.
Arthur: Hold tight, my sweet girl, because I am bringing the legal papers with me.
The phone line went quiet as Arthur snapped his phone shut with a dark look on his face.
Back inside the living room, Sarah paced across the room with her lace train sweeping the dust.
Sarah: You always run to Dad the moment you do not get your own way!
Ethan: She called her father because you acting like a monster in your own home!
Sarah: Do not speak to me about this house when my mother paid for half of it!
Aunt Eleanor: Your mother left this estate to Arthur and you know that very well!
Sarah turned around quickly and pointed a long fingernail directly at her older aunt's face.
Sarah: You stay out of this, Eleanor, or you will not get a dime from the trust fund!
Clara: Leave Aunt Eleanor out of your greedy arguments, Sarah!
Sarah: You think you are so smart with your college degree and your clean reputation!
Clara stood up slowly while holding her torn dress tightly against her waist.
Clara: I never wanted your money or your spotlight, Sarah, I just wanted a family.
Sarah: Well, you are not getting anything from this wedding or this trust fund today!
Ethan stepped closer to Clara and wrapped his warm arm around her trembling shoulders.
Ethan: I am signing nothing today until Arthur gets here to clean up this mess.
Sarah: If you do not sign that prenup right now, the wedding is off!
Ethan: Then maybe the wedding should be canceled before we make a terrible mistake!
Sarah took a quick breath as her face turned red with absolute embarrassment and rage.
The loud hum of a heavy V8 engine resonated through the open driveway outside the mansion windows.
Tires skidded sharply against the gravel surface near the broad stone front steps.
Clara let out a small sigh of relief as she recognized her father's heavy footsteps outside.