The cold autumn night air hit Clara full in the face as she burst through the grand entrance of the estate. Her heels scraped against the wet granite steps as tears blinded her vision completely, sending her stumbling toward the wide driveway.
Julian: Wait, don't leave!
A pair of strong, warm hands caught her right wrist just as she reached the edge of the stone terrace. Clara gasped loudly, spinning around to face a tall young man dressed in a custom tailored black tuxedo.
Clara: Let go of me, please let me go home!
Julian: I am not letting you run away into the dark alone like this.
Clara: You saw what happened in there, they were laughing at my family!
Julian pulled a folded white silk handkerchief from his jacket pocket and gently wiped a tear from her trembling cheek.
Julian: Victoria Vance does not speak for anyone worth knowing in this city.
Clara: Her father owns half the real estate firms in downtown Boston!
Julian: And my family built the foundation that put this entire event together tonight.
Clara froze in place, her wide blue eyes catching the dim glow of the exterior carriage lamps lining the driveway. Julian took her smaller hand gently inside his firm grip, looking straight into her eyes with pure sincerity.
Julian: Walk back inside with me right now, Clara.
Clara: I cannot face those people again, Julian, I really can't.
Julian: You do not have to face them alone because I will be right beside you.
He turned around and led her back toward the heavy wooden doors without releasing his steady grip on her fingers. Clara took a deep breath, smoothing down her champagne satin skirt as the heavy oak doors swung open once more.
The loud chatter inside the ballroom instantly died down as Julian stepped into the center aisle holding Clara tightly. Every eye in the room shifted toward the young heir of the Sterling Estate, including Victoria who stood frozen near the front stage.
Julian: Listen everyone! She is the most wonderful person here, and she deserves all my respect.
Victoria: Julian, what are you talking about right now?
Julian: I am talking about the woman who spent three years volunteering at our children's hospital without taking a dime.
A heavy silence fell over the massive room as several elderly board members lowered their glasses in quiet shock. Clara looked up at Julian's defined profile, her breath catching in her throat as he turned his face toward her.
Clara: You really mean that?
Julian: Every single word, Clara.
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