Julian adjusted his dark navy suit as he stood near the grand entrance of his family estate.
The sun shone brightly through the massive stained-glass windows of the dining hall.
His mother, Evelyn, had invited dozens of guests from around the city for a high-society dinner.
Julian looked around the room, feeling an uncomfortable knot growing inside his stomach.
He knew these family gatherings rarely went smoothly when his wife was present.
Clara was carrying their infant daughter, Lily, secure in a soft fabric chest carrier.
She smiled gently at the arriving guests, trying her best to make everyone feel comfortable.
Yet Evelyn made no effort to introduce Clara as the daughter-in-law of the estate.
Instead, Evelyn treated Clara like an uninvited worker from the moment the event began.
Clara quietly moved between the long wooden dining tables to help serve drinks to everyone.
Her hands trembled slightly under the heavy weight of the silver tray she held.
Julian stepped forward to offer his assistance, but his mother quickly blocked his path.
Evelyn placed a cold hand on his arm and pulled him toward the local bank manager.
She wanted him to focus on business and networking with wealthy figures during the event.
Julian glanced back over his shoulder, watching Clara navigate the bustling crowd of guests.
He could see the exhaustion painted clearly across her pale, tired face that afternoon.
Clara had been up since dawn preparing food and preparing their baby for the evening.
Nobody else in the huge house offered to help her with any of the daily chores.
Evelyn insisted that a proper wife should work hard to earn her place in the family.
Julian hated hearing those harsh words every single time his mother spoke to Clara.
He had argued with Evelyn repeatedly about her cold attitude toward his growing family.
Yet Evelyn always brushed his concerns aside with a dismissive wave of her hand.
She believed Clara came from a humble background and lacked proper refined manners.
Clara never complained to Julian because she loved him deeply and wanted peace.
She tried to endure the harsh treatment to keep the peace inside the large household.
However, the hidden tension in the room was reaching a dangerous breaking point quickly.
The guests chatted loudly while drinking expensive wine and eating gourmet meals together.
Clara leaned against the wall for a brief second to catch her breath quietly.
Little Lily babbled softly in her carrier, completely unaware of the heavy atmosphere.
Julian noticed his mother glaring coldly from across the room right at Clara.
He knew another unfair storm was brewing inside his mother's prideful heart today.