Chapter 2 - The Woman in the White Dress
The trouble began with the dress code.
Bianca wanted every woman in the Bennett family to wear pale colors so her red gown would dominate the photographs. She sent Claire a photograph of a simple white tea-length dress.
“This one will suit you,” Bianca wrote. “Nothing too glamorous.”
Claire almost refused.
Wearing white to an engagement party felt unusual, but Bianca insisted it was part of her theme. Vanessa confirmed it in a group message.
“All immediate family women will wear white or cream. Bianca will be the only woman in red.”
Claire bought the dress.
A week later, she discovered that no one else had been asked to wear white.
At the bridal brunch, Julian’s cousins arrived in blue, emerald, gold, and black. Vanessa wore champagne silk. Only Claire entered in white.
Bianca looked at her and widened her eyes.
“I cannot believe you wore white.”
Claire stopped near the doorway. “You selected this dress.”
“I suggested something similar. I didn’t tell you to imitate a bride.”
Several guests turned toward them.
Claire pulled out her phone and opened Bianca’s message, but Julian stepped between them.
“Put it away,” he whispered.
“She told me to wear this.”
“Maybe she changed her mind.”
“And forgot to tell me?”
Julian looked toward Bianca, who was already accepting sympathy from her friends.
“Just apologize.”
Claire stared at her brother.
“For following her instructions?”
“For upsetting her.”
It was the first time Claire clearly saw the pattern.
Bianca created the problem.
Julian asked Claire to absorb the consequences.
Claire did not apologize, but she remained at the brunch. She smiled in photographs and helped the restaurant staff carry gifts to Bianca’s car.
That evening, Bianca posted a carefully edited photograph online. Claire could be seen in the background wearing white.
The caption described how some women could not tolerate another woman receiving attention.
Hundreds of people agreed.
Julian called Claire the next morning.
“Bianca is under pressure.”
“So she publicly humiliated me?”
“She didn’t name you.”
“She did not need to.”
Julian sighed.
“Why does everything have to become a battle with you?”
Claire looked around her office at the contracts she had delayed while planning his party.
“It became a battle when you decided I was the only person required to surrender.”
May you like
Julian ended the call.
An hour later, another invoice arrived from Bianca.
