Marcus: Get away from my daughter right now!
Victoria: Marcus, this is a private family matter! Stay out of it!
Marcus: You coward! How could you let this happen?!
My father didn't even glance at Victoria as he stepped directly in front of Julian, his chest heaving with rage. Julian held his head in his hands, taking a step backward in utter terror as my dad stepped into his space.
Julian: Mr. Vance, I was just trying to keep the peace between my mother and Clara!
Marcus: Keeping the peace?! Your pregnant bride is standing here sobbing in front of a hundred people while your mother insults her honor!
Julian: You don't understand the pressure I'm under! My mother controls my trust fund!
Marcus: Then you are not a man, Julian. You are a spineless boy who doesn't deserve my daughter or my grandchild!
Clara: Dad... she called me a gold-digger! She tried to make me sign a document canceling my baby's inheritance!
Marcus: She did what?!
My father turned around slowly, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Victoria, who was holding a thick manila folder in her manicured hands.
Victoria: It's a standard agreement, Marcus! If Clara truly loves Julian, she doesn't need access to the Vance family trust or the Palm Beach property!
Marcus: My daughter doesn't need a single penny from your pathetic family trust, Victoria!
Victoria: Oh, please! You're a retired school director! You can't compete with our wealth!
Marcus: You think wealth is measured by the size of your mansion, Victoria? My daughter has more class and dignity in her little finger than you have in your entire body.
Clara: Dad, Julian knew about the paper. He told me to sign it yesterday so his mother wouldn't cut off his allowance!
My father looked back at Julian, his expression turning from pure anger to total disgust.
Marcus: Is that true, Julian? You asked your pregnant fiancee to give up her rights just so you could keep getting a handout from your mommy?
Julian: It was only supposed to be temporary! Once the wedding was over, I was going to talk to our estate lawyer!
Marcus: You're lying to yourself and you're lying to her. The wedding is over right now.
Victoria: You can't just cancel the wedding, Marcus! The press is outside! Think of our family reputation!
Marcus: I don't give a damn about your reputation. Clara, take off that ring.
Julian: Clara, no! Please don't do this! I love you!
Clara: You didn't love me enough to stand up for me when I was crying in front of everyone, Julian.
I pulled the diamond engagement ring off my finger and tossed it onto the grass right at Julian's feet. He looked down at the ring, his face pale and eyes wide with panic as the reality of his cowardice finally hit him.