THE PREGNANT WOMAN HE CALLED A THIEF.

Sophia had not entered the ballroom to beg. She had come to be heard.

The chandeliers blazed over white flowers and champagne towers as Ryan pointed at her like she was something dragged in from the street.

“You came here to disgrace my family!”

His hand flashed toward her shoulder. The guests gasped when she recoiled and wrapped both arms around her stomach. Madison moved faster than pity, planting herself in Sophia’s path with a glittering smile sharpened by cruelty.

“Open your purse,” she said. “Let everyone see what you stole.”

When Madison lunged for the silver clutch, Sophia stepped back, lost her balance, and lowered herself to one knee before collapsing to the floor. Ryan and Madison stood over her as if humiliation were part of the ceremony. Sophia’s eyes burned. Not from pain. From the savage satisfaction on their faces.

Then she saw it.

Behind his back, half-hidden by his tuxedo, Ryan was gripping a silver bracelet.

A staged accusation.

With trembling fingers, Sophia opened her clutch, pulled out her phone, and made one call.

“Dad,” she said, voice breaking, “they attacked me in front of everyone. Come inside.”