The antique mahogany table was set for twenty guests, yet only three chairs were occupied under the dim crystal chandeliers.
Elena stood near the archway of the private dining terrace, smoothing her ivory dinner dress with trembling hands as the clock chimed eight.
Elena: Julian, where is my family? You told me forty minutes ago that the shuttle dropped them off at the lower courtyard.
Julian: Don’t stress, Elena. Mother asked them to wait downstairs in the member lounge for a quick cocktail while we settle an internal estate matter.
Elena: Settle an estate matter right now? The rehearsal dinner was scheduled to begin half an hour ago, and our guests are arriving.
Victoria Sterling set down her champagne flute with a sharp click and turned her cold gaze toward the doorway.
Victoria: Lower your voice, Elena. In this family, critical matters take precedence over appetizers. Take a seat.
Elena: We spent six weeks with your firm's attorneys finalizing the prenuptial agreement, Victoria. I signed every page you gave me.
Victoria: That agreement was drafted before certain private lab results crossed my desk yesterday morning.
Victoria slid a thick navy leather binder across the damask linen until it rested firmly against Elena’s plate.
Elena: You had someone spy on my private doctor appointments?
Julian: Nobody spied on you, honey. The family foundation physician was just asked to verify your bloodwork.
Elena: You pulled my confidential medical files behind my back without telling me?
Julian: You are carrying a child with my bloodline, Elena! That changes every single dollar in our inheritance structure!
Elena: This is our child, Julian. Not an item in a portfolio audit.
Victoria: Every child born to a Sterling heir is legally tied to the Sterling trust fund. Open the folder to page fourteen.
Elena opened the binder with cold fingers, her eyes scanning down the crisp black text until the breath froze in her throat.
Elena: Section nine... full parental waiver and sole legal custody assigned to the Sterling Estate?
Victoria: If a separation occurs, you receive ten million dollars from the family estate, but you surrender every parental right forever. Sign it, or tomorrow’s wedding is canceled.
Elena looked directly at the man she had loved for three years, waiting for him to object, but Julian only turned his eyes to the floor.
Her hand slid slowly into her evening purse, her fingers brushing the stiff manila paper she had carried with her all evening.
She pulled out an unsealed envelope of her own, the sharp crack of the paper echoing like thunder in the room.
Victoria: What is that pathetic little envelope supposed to mean?
Elena: It means you should have read your own husband's bank records before threatening my baby.