Mark's father Arthur sat quietly in the front row without saying a single word.
He wore a dark tuxedo and kept his hands folded neatly across his lap.
Clara looked over at Arthur with desperate eyes, searching for a sign of help.
Clara: Arthur, you know the truth about why I went to that clinic!
Arthur: I think it is best if we handle family matters behind closed doors, Clara.
Clara: You told me to keep quiet until after the contract was signed today!
Mark turned his head slowly toward his father with total disbelief in his eyes.
Mark: Father, did you know about these medical visits before today happened?
Arthur: We were protecting the family business from potential lawsuit problems, son.
Mark: You let my mother humiliate Clara in front of all our friends and family!
Evelyn: Do not speak to your father like that when he saved your fortune!
Clara's red hair flew in the Texas wind as she shook her head in utter disgust.
She realized that the entire family had planned this trap to force her out.
They wanted her to give up her rights to the baby's future inheritance.
Clara: You used my pregnancy as a bargaining chip for your business merger!
Evelyn: You are not worthy of joining this family or using our name!
Clara: How could you let this happen to us, Mark?
Mark: I was just trying to follow my father's advice on the prenup agreement!
Clara: You stood there and watched them destroy our family before it even started!
Mark: Father, stop them right now and fix this mess!
Arthur remained seated while looking straight ahead with a cold expression on his face.
He cared more about the company shares than his son's happiness or Clara's well-being.
Clara knew then that she could not rely on anyone in that wealthy family.
She wiped the tears from her face with the back of her gloved hand.
She pulled her smartphone out from her hidden dress pocket with trembling fingers.
She needed the one person in Dallas who actually had the power to protect her.