Chapter 3 - The Velcro Straps
The heavy silence in the dining room was absolutely deafening.
Julian stayed kneeling beside his weeping fiancée.
He stared up at his sister with a volatile mix of anger and confusion.
"What exactly are you implying, Sarah?" Julian asked tightly.
"I am not implying anything," Sarah replied evenly.
"I am simply asking your fiancée to stand up and smooth out her dress."
Clara cried louder, clutching Julian’s tuxedo lapels with trembling hands.
"Don't let them do this to me, Julian!" she wailed dramatically.
Brenda stepped aggressively forward, trying to physically block Sarah's view.
"You are intentionally trying to cause a miscarriage with this cruel harassment!"
Brenda yelled. Julian looked down at the hands gripping his dark jacket.
He noticed that Clara's knuckles were white, but her grip felt desperately tight, not weak.
He gently placed his own hands over hers.
"Clara, honey," Julian said softly. "Just stand up and show them how ridiculous they are being."
Clara froze completely. Her theatrical tears stopped in an absolute instant.
She looked at Julian with wide, terrified eyes. "No," Clara whispered, shaking her head frantically.
"I feel incredibly dizzy, and I need to stay seated."
Julian’s brow furrowed in deep concern and suddenly growing suspicion.
He slowly stood up, looking down at the awkward bunching of the gold fabric. "Let me help you up," Julian insisted, extending his hands.
Clara shrank back deeply into the padded dining chair. "I said no!" she snapped, her voice abruptly sharp and panicked.
The wealthy guests shifted very uncomfortably in their expensive seats.
Low whispers began to break out across the grand dining table.
Lily sat perfectly still, holding her mother's hand.
"It has black velcro straps on the back," Lily stated clearly.
Clara gasped angrily, turning a fierce, ugly glare onto the little girl.
"Shut your lying mouth, you horrible little brat!" Clara screamed.
Julian physically recoiled at her unexpectedly harsh tone.
He had never heard Clara speak to anyone, let alone a child, in that manner.
Without another word, Julian reached directly down toward Clara's waist.
Clara slapped his hands away viciously.
"Don't touch me!" she shrieked.
But Julian had already felt it.
Beneath the smooth silk of her gold dress, there was absolutely no firm, rounded stomach.
His fingers had brushed against the unmistakable, squared edge of a thick cushion.
Julian stepped back, his handsome face turning ghostly pale.
The entire room watched in horrified fascination.
"Clara..." Julian breathed, his voice cracking. "What is under your dress?"
Clara abruptly scrambled to her feet, trying to push past him toward the grand hallway.
As she moved aggressively, the heavy gold fabric shifted completely out of place.
The hidden strap slipped entirely from its secure position on her waist.
May you like
A distinct corner of a floral, embroidered throw pillow peeked out from the side of her dress.
The golden facade completely collapsed.
