Chapter 5 - The Ring Beneath Her Dress
Claire closed her hand around the ring.
“It’s none of your business.”
Lillian stepped closer.
“That stone is enormous.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Of course it matters.”
Margaret studied the ring with sudden interest. “Is it real?”
Claire looked at her mother.
Minutes earlier, Margaret had been demanding punishment over a lost watch. Now her voice carried curiosity instead of contempt.
Claire hated how predictable it was.
“I’m leaving.”
Richard blocked the path.
“Who gave you that ring?”
“No one you know.”
Daniel laughed.
“Someone gives a woman like you a diamond that size, and you think nobody will ask questions?”
Claire felt Ellie trembling in her arms.
She wanted to shout. Instead, she spoke quietly.
“Move away from us.”
Lillian stared at the ring.
“Are you engaged?”
Claire said nothing.
Her silence was answer enough.
Margaret’s expression changed completely.
“To whom?”
“We planned to announce it later.”
“Who is he?”
“Someone who values privacy.”
Daniel reached toward the necklace again.
Claire stepped back.
“Touch me one more time and I will call the police.”
His face reddened.
“You’re threatening me at my wedding?”
“You grabbed me.”
“You’ve been insulting my family all afternoon.”
“You screamed at my daughter over a watch.”
“An eighty-four-thousand-dollar watch.”
“And that makes her less than human?”
The question silenced several guests.
Lillian glanced around, aware that people were listening.
“Claire, stop.”
“No. I’ve spent my entire life stopping because this family was embarrassed by the truth.”
Richard moved closer.
“Enough.”
Claire turned toward him.
“You told me trouble followed me before I was old enough to understand what that meant. Mother warned me not to embarrass Lillian by existing. Lillian has treated Ellie like a stain on the family name. And today, not one of you defended a frightened little girl.”
Margaret’s lips tightened.
“We have supported you repeatedly.”
“You offered money only if I let you control where I lived, where I worked and how I raised my child.”
“We wanted stability.”
“You wanted obedience.”
Daniel clapped slowly.
“What a performance.”
Ellie covered her ears.
Claire looked down at her.
That decided everything.
She walked toward the staircase leading to the lower deck.
Daniel stepped in front of her again.
“I want your information before you leave.”
“For what?”
“The watch.”
“The crew has my contact details.”
“I want the name of your fiancé.”
“That has nothing to do with your watch.”
“It has everything to do with whether you can afford to replace it.”
Lillian’s face twisted.
“Is that why you came? To show us you found some rich man?”
Claire nearly laughed.
“I hid the ring so you wouldn’t see it.”
“You always need attention.”
“I stood at the back of your wedding.”
“You wore a diamond worth more than mine.”
Claire stared at her sister.
There it was.
Not concern. Not curiosity.
Jealousy.
Lillian had not asked whether Claire was happy. She had asked whether the ring was real.
Margaret reached for Claire’s hand.
“Let me see it.”
Claire pulled away.
“No.”
Margaret’s expression hardened.
“Do not be childish.”
“I said no.”
Ellie whimpered.
“I want to go home.”
Claire kissed her forehead.
“We’re going now.”
She carried Ellie down the staircase toward the marina platform, where a small tender boat could return them to shore.
The family followed.
May you like
So did the guests.
The argument had become more entertaining than the wedding.
