The bright Texas sun shone down on the beautiful white chairs arranged in neat rows across the green lawn.
Clara adjusted her lace dress as she looked into the mirror inside the bride's dressing room.
She had dreamed of this sunny afternoon in Dallas for more than two years.
Mark was the man she loved, and today they were finally going to start their own family together.
Yet a heavy feeling had been resting in her chest since early that morning.
Clara: Do you think your mother will really come to the ceremony today, Mark?
Mark: She promised me she would keep the peace for our special day.
Mark stood near the window while adjusting his silver silk tie with trembling hands.
He looked outside at the big American flag fluttering gently in the warm Texas breeze.
Mark: My family has deep roots in this city, and image means everything to my mother.
Clara: I just want us to be honest with each other about everything going forward.
Mark: We will be happy once the papers for the family business are settled.
Clara held her bouquet tightly while feeling a nervous knot forming in her stomach.
She knew that Mark's mother Evelyn never approved of her simple background.
Evelyn came from old money and owned a massive estate on the edge of town.
Clara was just a schoolteacher who cared deeply about her students and her family.
Clara: Your mother asked me to sign a document earlier this week.
Mark: What kind of document did she hand to you, Clara?
Clara: It was a agreement about the trust fund and our future kids.
Mark turned around quickly with a surprised look on his clean face.
Mark: She was not supposed to bring up the trust fund before the wedding.
Clara: She told me I would get nothing if we ever got a divorce.
Mark: We are never getting a divorce, so please do not worry about that now.
A soft knock came at the door before a maid stepped into the bright room.
Maid: The guests are all seated outside on the lawn, missed Clara.
Clara: Thank you, we will be stepping out in just a few minutes.
Clara walked over to Mark and gently placed her hand on his dark grey suit jacket.
She felt the fast beat of his heart under her delicate fingertips.
Clara: Promise me that we are in this together no matter what happens today.
Mark: I promise you that my heart belongs to you forever, Clara.
They walked out toward the sunny lawn where music was playing softly from the speakers.
The guests turned their heads and smiled as the couple walked down the aisle together.
An American flag waved high above the floral arch at the front of the altar.
Everything seemed peaceful for a brief moment as they stepped up onto the wooden platform.
Then a loud voice from the front row broke the calm atmosphere completely.