Sarah sat on the edge of the plush sofa and tried to breathe normally.
The massive mansion in downtown Chicago felt cold despite the bright afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows.
Her hands rested gently on her small pregnant belly as she waited for her fiancé's mother to return.
Mark walked into the living room holding two glasses of ice water.
He offered a reassuring smile that did not quite reach his anxious eyes.
His mother, Victoria, entered the room with a sharp and stern look on her face.
She carried a thick silver tray and set it down hard on the glass coffee table.
Victoria looked down her nose at Sarah with obvious disgust.
Victoria: You do realize this family has a reputation to uphold in this city.
Sarah: I love Mark, and we just want to build a quiet life together.
Victoria: Love does not pay for a million dollar estate or preserve a business legacy.
Mark stepped closer and took Sarah by the hand to show his support.
Mark: Mom, we are getting married next month whether you approve or not.
Victoria: You are making the biggest mistake of your life, Mark.
Victoria glanced coldly at Sarah's waistline before turning her back on them both.
Sarah felt a chill run down her spine as the older woman walked away.
She knew that marrying into the wealthy Vance family would not be easy.
However, she believed that Mark's love would protect her from their deep snobbery.
They spent the rest of the evening discussing simple plans for a private ceremony.
Mark assured her that his family would behave once the wedding day arrived.
He promised her that his father, Richard Vance, was a reasonable man who would accept her.
Sarah wanted to believe him more than anything else in the world.
She went to sleep that night praying that her new family would give her a fair chance.
Yet, deep inside her heart, a quiet warning bell kept ringing.
She knew that high society families rarely gave up their pride without a bitter fight.