Chapter 3 - The Uninvited Guest
Just as the crushing weight of Eleanor’s words settled over the party, the heavy iron gates of the estate swung open.
A man in a wrinkled medical residency uniform walked onto the lawn, looking exhausted but determined.
It was David Harrington, Clara’s husband and Lily’s father.
He had just finished a brutal thirty-six-hour shift at the hospital, but he had promised Leo he would make an appearance at his birthday.
David stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the tense, silent crowd and his grandmother pointing her cane at his aunt Beatrice.
Then, his exhausted eyes found Clara, who was wiping away a stray tear, and Lily, who was sitting in the guest of honor’s chair.
“What the hell is going on here?” David demanded, his deep voice shattering the remaining silence.
Eleanor turned to her favorite grandson, her fierce expression softening for just a fraction of a second.
“Your aunt Beatrice decided that your wife and daughter were too poor to sit with the rest of the family,” Eleanor informed him bluntly.
“She placed your daughter next to the garbage bins, David.”
David’s face darkened, a storm of pure, protective rage brewing in his eyes as he absorbed the reality of the situation.
He slowly walked across the patio, closing the distance between himself and Beatrice.
Beatrice took a terrified step backward, her diamond earrings shaking aggressively.
“David, darling, it was just a misunderstanding,” Beatrice pleaded, her fake smile completely collapsing.
“We just ran out of chairs at the main table, I swear.”
David didn't yell, but the terrifying quietness of his voice made everyone hold their breath.
“You have always looked down on Clara because she didn't come from money,” David said, his jaw clenched so tightly a muscle twitched.
“But she is twice the woman you will ever be, and Lily is a thousand times smarter than your spoiled sons.”
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David turned his back on Beatrice, completely dismissing her existence.
He walked over to Clara, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her forehead right in front of the snobby crowd.
