Chapter 4 - The Watch
The accident happened after the first dance.
Music filled the upper deck while guests gathered around Lillian and Daniel. Claire stood near the railing with Ellie, pointing out sailboats in the distance.
Daniel approached with a glass of champagne in one hand.
He had been drinking steadily for two hours.
“Your daughter is supposed to be in the photograph,” he said.
Claire looked toward the photographer.
“I thought they were finished.”
“They want one near the stern.”
Claire took Ellie’s hand.
“Come on, sweetheart.”
As they walked past Daniel, a server stepped backward carrying a tray.
Ellie moved aside to avoid him and bumped lightly into Daniel’s leg.
Daniel’s champagne tilted.
A few drops landed on his sleeve.
His silver watch slipped from his wrist, struck the polished deck and slid beneath the railing.
Everyone nearby watched it disappear into the marina.
Daniel stared after it.
Then he looked at Ellie.
“What did you do?”
The little girl froze.
Claire immediately stepped between them.
“It was an accident.”
“My watch.”
“I saw.”
“That watch cost eighty-four thousand dollars.”
The music continued, but the nearest guests had stopped dancing.
Ellie began to cry.
“I’m sorry.”
Daniel pointed toward the water.
“Do you know how much that was worth?”
Claire’s voice hardened.
“Do not shout at her.”
Lillian hurried toward them.
“What happened?”
Daniel turned to her.
“Claire’s kid knocked my watch into the water.”
Ellie buried her face against Claire’s skirt.
Claire shook her head.
“She bumped into him because a server stepped backward. Daniel had not secured the clasp.”
Daniel laughed in disbelief.
“You’re blaming me?”
“I’m explaining what happened.”
Lillian looked over the railing.
“Can it be recovered?”
A crew member approached.
“We can send a diver after the reception, ma’am.”
“After?” Daniel snapped. “It could be carried away.”
The crew member glanced at the calm water.
“It likely landed beneath the yacht.”
Margaret and Richard arrived, followed by several curious guests.
Margaret looked from Daniel to Claire.
“What has she done now?”
The question struck Claire harder than Daniel’s anger.
“Ellie accidentally bumped him.”
“My watch is in the marina,” Daniel said.
Richard’s expression turned cold.
“Claire, apologize.”
“She already did.”
“I was speaking to you.”
Claire looked around at the growing circle of faces.
“I’m sorry the watch fell into the water. But Ellie is frightened, and I’m taking her inside.”
Daniel stepped in front of her.
“You’re not walking away.”
Claire pulled Ellie closer.
“Move.”
Lillian placed a hand on Daniel’s arm.
“Let her go. She’ll only make a scene.”
Claire stared at her sister.
“I’m making a scene?”
“You brought a toddler onto a yacht and refused to control her.”
“She was invited.”
“And now my husband’s wedding gift is gone.”
Daniel’s mother had given him the watch that morning in front of photographers.
Claire understood then.
This was not about the money.
It was about humiliation.
Daniel wanted someone to punish, and the Whitmores had spent Claire’s entire life teaching people that she was the easiest person to blame.
Richard lowered his voice.
“You will pay for the watch.”
“With what?”
“That is your problem.”
Claire almost smiled.
Her father knew she lived modestly. He knew she worked for a nonprofit. He knew eighty-four thousand dollars was more than she earned in a year.
He did not care.
“Send me the diver’s report,” Claire said. “If the watch is damaged and I’m legally responsible, we’ll discuss it.”
Daniel stared at her.
“Legally responsible?”
“I work at a legal center. I don’t hand over money because an angry man demands it.”
A few guests murmured.
Richard’s face darkened.
“You are speaking to your brother-in-law.”
“I’m speaking to a man yelling at a child.”
Lillian stepped forward.
“Stop acting superior.”
Claire looked at her sister.
“I’m leaving.”
“No,” Margaret said. “You will stay until the photographs are complete.”
Claire could hardly believe her.
“You just said Ellie doesn’t belong here.”
“I said she should behave.”
Ellie’s sobs grew louder.
Claire lifted her into her arms.
“We’re going home.”
As she turned, Daniel caught her wrist.
The movement was sudden and rough.
Claire pulled away.
“Don’t touch me.”
Daniel’s hand moved again.
Not toward Claire.
Toward the chain at her neck.
The hidden engagement ring slipped from beneath her dress and caught the sunlight.
Everyone saw it.
May you like
Lillian’s eyes widened.
“Where did you get that?”
