Clara did not hesitate for another painful second.
She reached into the hidden side pocket of her silk dress.
Her hand wrapped around the cold frame of her cell phone.
She pulled it out with fast, frantic movements.
Her fingers trembled as she found her contact list.
Julian took a quick step forward, reaching out his hand.
Julian: Put the phone away right now, Clara!
Clara: Don't you dare come any closer to me!
She backed away toward the white wooden wedding arch.
She tapped her father's number without taking her eyes off Julian.
Her father was a respected city lawyer with deep legal knowledge.
He was stuck in airport traffic miles away from the venue.
The phone speaker chimed twice as the call went through.
Clara: Answer the phone, Dad, please...
She pressed the glass screen tightly against her left ear.
Every ring felt like a century of heavy, unbearable waiting.
On the fifth ring, a deep, comforting voice finally answered.
Arthur: Clara, sweetie, I am almost at the main gate!
Clara: Dad, they lied to us about the prenuptial agreement!
Her loud statement made the entire crowd stop breathing.
Julian's father suddenly stood up from his front chair.
His calm face turned instantly into a mask of pure rage.
Julian: Father, put an end to this right now!
Julian yelled toward his father in a panicked tone.
The old man moved fast toward the wooden altar area.
Clara held the phone tight, speaking directly into the microphone.
Clara: Dad, come to the front lawn with your legal briefcase right now!