The heavy chandeliers in the estate ballroom glowed bright, but Chloe only felt the icy chill of the marble beneath her torn dress. Her mother-in-law to be dragged her across the pristine floor like trash.
Evelyn: Get up, you miserable leech!
Chloe: Please, stop! I didn't steal anything!
Evelyn: Look at you! You're ruining my family's sacred day!
Chloe hit the floor hard, her shoulder throbbing as fresh blood trickled down her cheek. The crowd of wealthy guests whispered behind expensive silk napkins and crystal glasses.
Julian: Stop embarrassing my family!
Chloe: Julian, look at me! It's your wedding day! Why are you letting her do this?
Julian: You brought this on yourself, Chloe. You never belonged in this house.
Chloe: I loved you! I gave up three years of my life for you!
Julian: You're nothing without my money. Just an orphan girl who got lucky.
Her fingers trembled as they brushed against the cool glass of her smartphone lying on the floor beside her ruined white dress. She dragged it closer, shielding it with her battered body.
Victoria: Calling the police on your own family?
Chloe: You aren't my family.
Victoria: Oh, listen to her try to sound brave! Look at your dress, honey. You look like a street beggar.
Evelyn: Take that phone from her before she makes a bigger scene!
Chloe pressed the glass screen to her ear, tears cutting clean lines through the dirt on her bruised face. She spoke three words with a cold, terrifying calm that stopped the room cold.
Chloe: No... I'm calling mine. Dad... destroy them!