Her heels clicked sharply against the polished floor.
Mara straightened.
"Claire."
The blonde woman stopped directly in front of her.
"What did your daughter just say?"
Mara remained calm.
"Nothing you need to worry about."
Claire's expression hardened.
"I heard her talking about me."
"She's seven."
"Then perhaps you should teach her some manners."
Mara felt her jaw tighten.
She had spent years being treated as an inconvenience inside the Bennett family. She had tolerated insults, dismissive remarks, and carefully disguised humiliation because she wanted Sophie to maintain a relationship with her father and grandmother.
But she would not allow another adult to bully her child.
"Sophie hasn't done anything wrong."
Claire laughed sharply.
"Of course you'd say that."
Several guests turned.
Mara glanced toward Daniel.
He was standing near the celebration table speaking with a business associate.
Evelyn watched from beside the cake.
Her expression had changed.
Not to concern.
To irritation.
As though Mara and Sophie were disrupting a performance that had taken months to prepare.
Claire stepped closer.
"Your daughter has been staring at me all afternoon."
Mara moved slightly in front of Sophie.
"She's excited about having a little brother or sister."
"Then tell her to stop behaving like a spoiled brat."
Mara's expression changed.
"Don't call my daughter that."
Claire lifted her chin.
"Then keep her away from me."
Sophie looked up.
Her eyes filled with confusion.
"Mommy, I didn't do anything."
Mara took her hand.
"I know, baby."
Claire made a contemptuous sound.
"Honestly, Daniel should never have invited you."
The words struck Mara harder than she expected.
She had not wanted to come.
She had spent nearly an hour arguing with herself before accepting the invitation.
But Daniel had called personally.
He said Sophie wanted to understand the changes happening in his life. He wanted his daughter to feel included rather than replaced by his new family.
Mara had agreed because Sophie loved her father.
Now Claire was publicly humiliating them.
Mara looked directly into the blonde woman's eyes.
"We're leaving."
She turned toward the ballroom doors.
Claire grabbed her arm.
"Not until you apologize."
Mara stopped.
Slowly, she looked down at the hand gripping her.
Then back at Claire.
"Let go."
The room was growing quieter.
Sophie moved closer to her mother.
"Mommy?"
Claire tightened her fingers.
"You don't get to embarrass me in front of my guests and walk away."