Chloe sat down on the soft blue velvet sofa inside the quiet living room.
She took a deep breath as Sarah handed her a clean glass of water.
The heavy tension in her chest was finally beginning to melt away slowly.
Clara sat down on the chair across from her still wearing her bridal gown.
The long white silk skirt spread out across the clean rug like snow.
Clara: Are you and your baby going to be okay going forward?
Chloe: My father is taking care of our medical care expenses now.
Sarah: We will make sure Julian pays back every dollar he took too.
Chloe: Thank you for actually listening to me when I showed up.
Clara: Thank you for having the courage to come through that door.
The sun climbed higher in the blue sky outside the large mansion windows.
Wedding guests began arriving at the front gate in their fine black cars.
Sarah walked out to the front porch to make a public announcement personally.
She told everyone the ceremony was canceled due to sudden unexpected personal matters.
The guests left quietly without asking any unnecessary questions about the sudden news.
Inside the house, Clara unzipped the back of her heavy lace wedding dress.
She changed into simple comfortable blue jeans and a plain soft cotton sweater.
She felt lighter than she had felt in many long months of planning.
She walked back into the living room where Chloe was resting on the sofa.
Clara: Let me drive you to the bank to meet your father today.
Chloe: You really do not have to do that for me right now.
Clara: I want to make sure you are safe after everything that happened.
Sarah: We stand together as women who refuse to be tricked by lies.
Chloe smiled softly for the very first time since entering the big house.
The two young women walked out of the front entrance door side by side.
The morning sun felt warm and bright on their faces as they left.