Chapter 3 - THE ACCUSER AT THE DOOR
"Clara! Open this damn door right now!"
It wasn't Richard. It was Eleanor Vance—Richard’s domineering mother and my former mother-in-law. A woman who had made it her life's mission during my seven-year marriage to remind me that I came from a modest background and was never truly worthy of the Vance family name.
I stood up, stepping between the door and Molly. "Eleanor, go away. Molly is traumatized."
"Open the door, Clara, or I will have the church security break it down!" Eleanor barked from the hallway. "You’ve embarrassed our family for the last time!"
I unlocked the door and pulled it open just enough to stand in the frame, blocking her view of Molly. Eleanor stood there in a emerald green silk dress, her face red with indignity, accompanied by Victoria’s mother, Evelyn, who looked equally furious.
"Look at what you’ve done!" Eleanor sneered, shaking a diamond-encrusted finger in my face. "You couldn't bear to see Richard move on with a woman of proper standing! You orchestrated this entire humiliating scene!"
"Eleanor, listen to yourself," I said coldly, keeping my voice steady. "Molly is an eight-year-old child. She was forced to carry a cake that weighed nearly as much as she does because Victoria wanted a spectacle. It was an accident."
"An accident?" Evelyn hissed, stepping forward. "My daughter’s wedding is ruined! The press is outside! There are paparazzi at the church gates right now because that video went viral! Victoria is in tears in the pastor's office, and Richard is threatening to call off the reception!"
"If Richard has any sense, he’ll call off the entire marriage," I countered. "Your daughter screamed at a little girl and grabbed her arm. I should call the police for assault."
Eleanor let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "The police? You think anyone is going to listen to you? Have you seen the internet, Clara? You are being branded as a bitter, malicious ex-wife nationwide. The Vance family reputation is being dragged through the dirt because of your petty jealousy!"
"I don't care about your precious reputation, Eleanor," I said, leaning in close so only she could hear. "I care about my daughter. Now back away from this door before I make a scene out here that your precious high-society friends will never forget."
Eleanor recoiled slightly, surprised by the raw, unyielding steel in my voice. During my marriage, I had always been quiet, polite, and eager to please. But that woman died the day Richard handed me divorce papers to run off with Victoria.
Before Eleanor could respond, Richard hurried down the corridor, his tie loosened, his jacket missing. "Mother! Evelyn! Leave her alone!"
"Richard!" Evelyn cried out. "She ruined your wedding! She set Molly up to do this!"
"Enough!" Richard shouted, his voice echoing down the corridor. "The wedding is suspended! I’ve cancelled the ceremony for today!"
Eleanor gasped, clutching her pearls. "You did what? Richard, the caterers, the guests, the mayor is in the third row!"
"I don't care if the President is in the third row!" Richard yelled, his face flushed. "Look around you! It’s a circus! Victoria is screaming at the staff, the internet is filming us, and my daughter is terrified!" He looked past his mother, his eyes landing on me. "Clara... please. Is Molly okay?"
"She’s shaken," I said coldly. "And she’s coming home with me right now."
"You can't just take her!" Eleanor interjected. "Richard has visitation rights this weekend!"
"The visitation ends the moment my daughter is placed in a hostile, dangerous environment," I stated firmly. I turned back into the room, grabbed Molly’s small coat and purse, and took her by the hand.
As we walked out of the room, Richard stepped forward, extending a hand toward Molly. "Molly-bear... daddy is so sorry..."
Molly shrank back, hiding behind my leg. The rejection was clear, and it hit Richard like a physical blow. He froze, his hand trembling in the air.
"We’re leaving, Richard," I said without looking at him. "And you better figure out how to stop your bride from smearing our daughter online, or my lawyer will be in touch by Monday morning."
I led Molly down the side hallway toward the rear exit of the church. But as I opened the heavy exit doors leading out to the parking lot, a wall of bright light flashed in our eyes.
Dozens of reporters, local news cameras, and random onlookers with phones were waiting outside.
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"Clara! Over here!" "Did you order your daughter to drop the cake?!" "Is it true you wanted revenge on Richard Vance?!" "Molly, look over here! Did your mom tell you to do it?!"
The vultures had arrived.
