Claire's Father: Claire, get down from there right now! You've ruined this entire family name in one afternoon!
Claire: Dad, help me! Mark hit me! Look at my cheek!
Claire's Father: You deserved far worse for trying to ruin an innocent girl's life! Get out of my sight!
Claire sobbed hysterically as the security guards guided her down the marble aisle, her long veil catching on the metal chairs as guests moved their feet away from her. Her mother rushed behind her, covering her face from the flashes of mobile cameras.
Elena: Mark... I'm so sorry. I ruined your wedding day.
Mark: You didn't ruin anything, Elena. You saved me from making the biggest mistake of my entire life.
Elena: But the venue... the guests... the money you spent...
Mark: Money doesn't matter compared to knowing the truth about the person you were about to share a house and a mortgage with.
Mark turned to face the crowd of two hundred guests, taking a deep breath as he adjusted his tuxedo collar.
Mark: Everyone, please hear me. The wedding is officially canceled. However, the food, the drinks, and the venue are all paid for. Please stay, enjoy the afternoon, and eat whatever you like.
The guests began to murmur softly, some nodding in respect for Mark's composure as they sat back down in their seats.
Elena: What are you going to do now?
Mark: First, I'm going to make sure my family's lawyers file a protective order so Claire stays away from both of us.
Elena: My cheek is still burning... I can't believe she actually hit me like that.
Mark: Let's get some ice from the catering kitchen. Come on.
Mark walked Elena down the side stairs toward the private bridal suit area, away from the noise of the main room. As they walked down the quiet hallway, Mark's lawyer, David, came running up with a thick manila folder in his hand.
David: Mark! I just spoke with the precinct captain. We forwarded the full camera feed to the police department.
Mark: Are they filing charges?
David: Yes. Because the diamond necklace is valued at fifty thousand dollars, Claire's attempt to frame Elena constitutes felony framing and filing a false police report.
Elena: Felony charges? Will she go to jail?
David: She's currently being questioned by two detectives in the management office right now. If Miss Elena chooses to press charges for the physical slap, that's an additional battery charge.
Elena: I... I don't know what to say.
Mark: You press those charges, Elena. Don't let her walk away from this thinking her family's trust fund can clean up her mess.
Elena: She took everything I had for granted... my friendship, my time, my trust.
Mark: Then let her learn what accountability feels like for once in her life.