The quiet room suddenly felt colder than a frosty winter night.
Mark lowered his silver fork slowly onto his china plate.
He looked at his little cousin Lily with a confused look.
Mark: What did you just say about my wife, Lily?
Lily: That lady's baby bump is just a sofa pillow!
Clara's face turned completely white like a fresh bed sheet.
Her hand began to tremble against the rim of her glass.
Evelyn stood up from her chair so fast it knocked back slightly.
Evelyn: She is just a lying brat who wants attention!
Evelyn: Do not listen to a silly child at a party!
Sarah: Evelyn, do not talk to my daughter like that!
Sarah: Lily never lies about things she sees with her eyes.
Lily stepped out from behind her mother's dress with pride.
She looked straight at Clara without showing any fear at all.
Lily: I saw her take it out of the guest closet!
Lily: She strapped it around her belly with black tape!
Lily: And my mom has the security video on her phone!
A sudden gasp went around the entire grand dining hall.
Guests at nearby tables stood up from their chairs to watch.
Mark turned his body sharply to face his wife directly now.
He stared at Clara's golden waist with deep shock and anger.
Mark: Clara, tell me this child is making up a story.
Clara: Of course she is making up stories, my dear husband!
Clara: You know how kids love to imagine silly nonsense things!
Mark: Why are you shaking so hard if it is nonsense?
Clara: Because I am deeply offended by these horrible false words!
Evelyn walked around the table quickly to stand near Clara.
Evelyn: Mark, your wife is carrying your long-awaited baby boy!
Evelyn: How can you let these jealous relatives ruin this night?
Sarah: Nobody is jealous of a fraud, Evelyn!
Sarah pulled her black smartphone out of her small purse.
She tapped the glass screen several times with her thumb quickly.
Mark watched Sarah step toward the head table with firm steps.
His heart beat heavily inside his chest like a loud drum.
He looked back down at Clara's perfectly round stomach shape.
The shape looked strangely stiff and completely unnatural right now.
It did not move at all when Clara took a deep breath.
Mark: Sarah, bring that phone over to me right now.
Clara: Mark, please do not humiliate me in front of everyone!
Mark: If you are innocent, you have nothing to fear at all.
Clara squeezed her eyes shut as cold sweat beaded her forehead.