The gentle breeze blew through the bright green leaves above them.
Clara looked at her groom with utter confusion in her eyes.
She had trusted Julian with every detail of her life before this.
They had planned to raise their baby in his family mansion.
Now a dark shadow of doubt was cast over everything today.
Clara: What is she talking about right now, Julian?
Julian: She is just trying to cause trouble for us, Clara.
Evelyn: Tell her about the massive debts you hidden from her!
Julian: Shut your mouth before I have you thrown out!
Evelyn: He used your name to secure a major bank loan!
Clara felt her knees grow weak under her heavy gown.
She placed both hands on her belly to protect her baby.
The guests were all standing up to get a better look.
Julian's father sat in the front row, looking deeply ashamed.
He covered his face with his hands and shook his head.
Clara: Is this true, Julian? Did you lie to me?
Julian: I was trying to save our future family business!
Clara: You lied to me about our entire financial future!
Julian: It was only supposed to be a temporary arrangement!
Evelyn laughed out loud, a harsh and bitter sound indeed.
She dropped the paper right onto the decorated wooden altar.
Evelyn: He lost every single dollar in a bad trade deal.
Evelyn: He leaves you with nothing but his massive unpaid debts.
Clara looked down at the paper lying near her white shoes.
The red seals and legal signatures were clear to see now.
Her heart beat wildly against her ribs like a trapped bird.
She felt completely betrayed by the person she loved most dearly.
Clara: You let me plan this wedding knowing we were broke?
Julian: My father promised he would help us cover the cost!
Julian: Father, tell her that you are going to help us!
His father remained silent, refusing to look up at his son.
The silence stretched across the venue like a heavy iron weight.
Clara could feel tears beginning to burn behind her sad eyes.
She was standing in front of two hundred people completely humiliated.