Wine on Her Wedding Dress

Nathan slowly turned toward Claire.

His eyes filled with regret.

"I didn't know."

Claire studied him quietly.

"No."

"You never wanted to know."

Her words hurt more than any accusation.

"When your mother threw wine on me..."

"You watched."

"When she accused me..."

"You stayed silent."

"When she demanded I apologize..."

"You agreed."

Nathan reached toward her.

She stepped back.

"You made your choice long before today."

Patricia suddenly grabbed Nathan's arm.

"Son, don't listen to her!"

"She's manipulating everyone!"

Claire nodded toward the hotel manager.

"Please continue."

The manager produced one final envelope.

"The ownership transfer of the Rosemont Grand Hotel became effective this morning."

"Miss Claire Bennett inherited controlling ownership from her grandfather."

The ballroom buzzed once again.

Nathan stared.

"Your grandfather..."

Claire nodded.

"He built this hotel."

"My family simply never advertised it."

Another document followed.

"This is also why the Pierce Corporation's loan applications were under review."

Nathan frowned.

"What loan?"

Claire looked directly into his eyes.

"The Pierce family owes this hotel group forty-three million dollars."

Patricia nearly collapsed.

Guests whispered louder than ever.

Several investors quietly walked toward the exit while making phone calls.

Nathan looked at his mother.

Then at Claire.

Everything his family owned...

Was beginning to crumble.

He dropped to one knee.

Not to propose.

To beg.

"I'm sorry."

Claire looked down at him.

The same man who had asked her to apologize minutes earlier.

"You aren't sorry for what happened."

She removed her wedding ring.

"You're sorry everyone saw it."

She placed the ring gently into his hand.

"The wedding is over."

She turned and walked toward the ballroom doors.

This time...

Every guest stood.

Not for the groom.

For the bride.