Arthur opened the thick white envelope with steady fingers.
He looked around at the curious faces of the wedding guests.
Arthur: You all think Eleanor's family owns this grand estate!
Arthur: You all think my daughter was marrying for money!
Eleanor stood tall, attempting to regain her superior posture.
Eleanor: My late husband built this entire estate from scratch!
Arthur: Your late husband was a deep gambler in debt!
The entire crowd gasped as Arthur unfolded the official document.
Arthur: Three years ago, this garden was placed in foreclosure.
Arthur: My logistics company bought the deed from the bank!
Dev stood up from the grass, dusting off his pants.
He looked at his mother in absolute, utter shock and confusion.
Dev: Mom, is what he is saying actually true?
Eleanor turned pale as a sheet under the daylight sun.
She opened her mouth, but no sound came out at all.
Arthur: Sarah begged me to let you stay here rent-free!
Arthur: She protected your pride so you wouldn't feel small!
Sarah looked at Dev with profound sorrow in her eyes.
Sarah: I never told you because I loved you, Dev.
Sarah: I wanted you to feel proud of your family heritage.
Sarah: But your mother treated me like trash every day.
Dev stared at Sarah as tears finally filled his eyes.
He realized the immense sacrifice Sarah had made for him.
He turned toward his mother with sudden, overwhelming anger.
Dev: You lied to me about our financial situation, Mom!
Eleanor: Dev, I did it to protect our social standing!
Dev: You ruined my life and my marriage for your pride!
Arthur handed the legal deed over to a nearby guest.
The guest read the title paper and nodded in affirmation.
Whispers spread like wildfire through the entire wedding crowd.
Eleanor stood completely isolated in the middle of the lawn.
Her blue satin gown now looked foolish and out of place.
Arthur looked down at Sarah with pure, warm tenderness.
Arthur: Let us go home now, my brave girl.