The golden invitation card sat on the mahogany kitchen counter like an unwanted shadow.
Mark looked at the elegant black lettering for a very long moment.
His younger sister Brenda had called three times that afternoon to confirm their attendance.
She insisted on hosting a lavish family dinner at her new suburban mansion.
Mark knew his sister never threw a party without an ulterior motive.
His wife Clara walked into the bright kitchen with a weary smile.
She was seven months pregnant with their very first child together.
Her soft blue sweater stretched gently over her round pregnancy bump.
Mark noticed the deep gray circles forming under her tired eyes.
He wrapped his warm arms gently around her trembling shoulders.
He told her that they did not have to go tonight.
Clara shook her head softly and pressed her cheek against his chest.
She said that family was important and she wanted to keep peace.
Brenda had been hostile ever since Mark took over the family company.
She believed that half of the business inheritance belonged to her.
Mark tried to explain that the corporate trust fund was structured legally.
He wanted to ensure the company survived for the next generation.
Brenda only saw the luxury cars and the large house he owned.
She treated Clara like an outsider who stole her family fortune.
Mark wiped a stray strand of hair from Clara's soft cheek.
He promised her that they would leave if anyone was rude.
Clara squeezed his hand gently and said everything would be fine.
They got into their sedan and drove toward the wealthy district.
The sun was setting low over the manicured green neighborhood hedges.
Mark felt a heavy knot forming inside his anxious stomach.
He wished he had refused his sister's fake gesture of goodwill.