Chapter 2 - THE WOMAN NO ONE WANTED TO SEE
The reception hall overlooked endless rows of grapevines glowing beneath the afternoon sun.
Crystal chandeliers hung from exposed wooden beams. White silk draped the walls. Every table was decorated with roses and candles imported from France.
Nearly four hundred guests filled the room.
Politicians.
Judges.
Business executives.
Celebrities.
People who had benefited from Bennett money and people who hoped to.
Claire stood beside Evan during the family photographs while pain pulsed across her lower back.
“Smile,” the photographer instructed.
Claire tried.
Victoria stood to her left. Vanessa stood in the center wearing a hand-beaded wedding gown with a train that required two attendants.
“Closer together,” the photographer said.
Victoria slipped one arm behind Claire.
To anyone watching, it looked affectionate.
Her fingers pressed painfully into Claire’s waist.
“You look ill,” Victoria whispered without moving her smile.
“I’m having contractions.”
“Then stop thinking about them.”
“That isn’t how contractions work.”
“The mind controls more than you realize.”
The flash went off.
Claire’s vision blurred.
“Another photograph,” Victoria called.
The photographer adjusted his lens.
Claire felt something warm slide down the inside of her leg.
For one terrible second, she thought she was bleeding.
She looked down.
A small wet mark darkened the marble beneath her shoe.
Her heart began pounding.
“Evan.”
He was laughing at something James had said.
“Evan.”
He turned.
The wet mark widened.
Claire heard her doctor’s voice in her memory.
If your water breaks before thirty-seven weeks, call emergency services immediately.
“Something’s happening.”
Vanessa glanced down and gasped.
“My dress!”
The edge of her white train was less than a foot from the spreading water.
Two bridesmaids quickly lifted it.
Guests nearby began turning.
Claire pressed both hands to her stomach as a contraction struck with brutal force.
“Call an ambulance,” she said.
Evan caught her elbow.
“Claire, breathe.”
“I am breathing. Call them.”
Victoria appeared immediately.
Her expression did not show concern.
It showed calculation.
“Everyone remain calm,” she announced with a polished smile. “Claire spilled a drink.”
“I did not spill anything.”
Victoria’s fingers tightened around her arm.
“Walk with me.”
“My water broke.”
Several guests heard her.
The whisper moved through the room.
Her water broke.
At the wedding?
Is she in labor?
Victoria leaned closer.
“You will not create a scene.”
“I need medical help.”
“The nearest hospital is forty minutes away.”
“Then we should already be leaving.”
Vanessa approached, holding her gown above the floor.
“Mother, everyone is staring.”
Victoria looked toward the guests.
The musicians had stopped playing.
The entire room waited.
Then Victoria smiled broadly.
“Our little one may be impatient,” she said loudly. “But there is no emergency. Claire has experienced false alarms before.”
Claire shook her head.
“This is not a false alarm.”
Victoria guided her toward the side hallway.
To the guests, it might have looked like assistance.
In reality, Victoria’s nails dug into Claire’s skin.
Evan followed.
“Mother, maybe I should take her upstairs.”
“No. The doctor’s suite is being used by the bridal party.”
“There’s a bathroom near the library,” Vanessa said. “Take her there until the speeches are finished.”
Claire stopped walking.
“I am not waiting for speeches.”
Victoria’s face remained pleasant for the crowd.
“You are upsetting Vanessa.”
“I’m in labor.”
“You do not know that.”
“Then call my doctor.”
“I will call him after the first dance.”
Claire looked at Evan.
“Give me your phone.”
He patted his jacket.
“I left it at the table.”
“Use your mother’s.”
Victoria continued walking.
“My phone is with my assistant.”
Claire tried to pull away.
A new contraction tightened around her abdomen.
She cried out.
Several guests near the doorway moved closer.
One older woman said, “She needs to lie down.”
Victoria’s smile faltered.
“She needs privacy.”
She pushed open the bathroom door.
Claire looked inside.
It was a luxurious bridal bathroom with a velvet bench, marble counters, and gold fixtures.
There was no second exit.
“I don’t want to go in there.”
“Stop behaving like a child.”
Victoria pushed her across the threshold.
Claire turned toward Evan.
“Come with me.”
He glanced toward the reception hall.
The master of ceremonies was approaching the microphone.
“Mother, I should stay with her.”
“You should stand beside your sister during the family speech.”
“Evan,” Claire said.
His eyes met hers.
For a moment, she thought he would step inside.
Then Victoria pulled the door closed between them.
Claire grabbed the handle.
It would not turn.
She heard the external bolt slide into place.
“Victoria!”
“Calm yourself,” Victoria said through the door. “We’ll return after the speeches.”
“You locked me in.”
“You were trying to run into the reception hall.”
“Call an ambulance!”
The music began again.
Claire pounded on the door.
“Evan!”
His answer came after a painful pause.
“Just wait a few minutes.”
Their footsteps faded.
Claire stood alone in the elegant bathroom, soaked and trembling.
Then she remembered the hidden pocket inside her purse.
She pulled out the emergency phone.
It powered on instantly.
Only one name appeared on the screen.
MARA.
Claire pressed the call button.
The agent answered before the first ring had finished.
“Claire?”
May you like
Claire swallowed back a sob.
“I need help.”
