Clara wiped her wet cheeks with the back of her trembling left hand.
The red stain on her white gown looked glaring and terrible under the bright sun.
She pointed a shaking finger directly at Margarethe, who stood tall without any remorse.
Clara: You did this on purpose because you wanted to embarrass me today!
Margarethe: I did what was necessary to protect my son's real inheritance!
Julian: Mother, please calm down before everyone starts recording this on their phones.
Clara: How could you let this happen to me?
Julian: Clara, you are making a massive scene in front of all our guests!
Clara: You stood there and let them ruin everything!
Julian: Please, stop this right now!
Clara felt her heart shatter into a thousand tiny pieces right then and there.
She realized that Julian was far more concerned with social appearances than her safety.
He had known about his mother's bitter plan to push her out all along.
Margarethe folded her arms tightly across her chest and sneered with cold contempt.
Margarethe: My son signed a prenuptial agreement this morning that leaves you with nothing.
Clara: I never agreed to sign any legal paperwork without my lawyer present!
Margarethe: It does not matter because the estate lawyers already finalized the contract!
Clara remembered the strange stack of papers Julian had asked her to sign last week.
He had told her they were simple routine permits for renting the wedding venue.
The cruel realization hit her like a sudden bolt of ice straight through her chest.
Her own fiance had helped his wealthy mother trick her into giving up her rights.
They wanted to ensure her unborn child had no legal claim to the family business.
Clara stepped backward until her back pressed against the cold metal flag pole.
She reached deep into her white beaded clutch bag to retrieve her smartphone.
Her fingers trembled so hard that she almost dropped the device onto the grass.
She dialed the one number that had always brought her safety and honest protection.
The phone rang loudly through the speaker as Clara pressed it against her warm ear.
Clara: Dad, please pick up!
The crowd went completely silent as the dial tone echoed across the quiet lawn.
Everyone waited to see who would answer the desperate call for help.