Mara's voice became cold.
"Take your hand off me."
Daniel finally noticed.
He turned from his conversation.
Then began walking toward them.
"What's going on?"
Claire released Mara's arm.
Her expression changed instantly.
"Daniel, your ex-wife is trying to ruin our celebration."
Mara stared.
"Excuse me?"
Claire placed one hand protectively over her belly.
"Her daughter has been making disgusting comments about my pregnancy."
Daniel looked toward Sophie.
The little girl was frightened.
Her small hands trembled against her mother's dress.
"Sophie?"
She looked up at him.
"Daddy, I just saw something."
Claire snapped.
"Get that little brat away from me!"
The entire room fell silent.
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Claire."
But the blonde woman was already moving toward Sophie.
Mara stepped between them.
"Don't you dare speak to my child like that!"
Claire shoved Mara hard against the shoulder.
The movement was sudden.
Ugly.
Entirely unnecessary.
Mara stumbled backward into a chair, catching the edge of the table before falling.
Sophie screamed.
"Mommy!"
Daniel lunged forward.
"Claire, stop!"
But Claire's hand caught against the edge of a decorative chair as she jerked backward.
The side seam of her fitted maternity dress tore near her hip.
Something beneath the fabric shifted.
Claire froze.
Her hands flew toward her stomach.
For one extraordinary second, the entire room seemed to hold its breath.
Then a large silicone pregnancy prosthetic slipped loose beneath the dress, slid downward, and dropped onto the polished floor.
It landed with a soft, sickening thud.
Two black elastic straps lay twisted beside it.
Nobody moved.
The baby-shaped decorations remained perfectly arranged around the room.
The cake stood untouched.
A champagne glass slipped from someone's fingers and shattered.
Daniel stared at the object on the floor.
Then looked at Claire.
His expression emptied.
"Claire?"
She did not answer.
Her hands pressed against her suddenly flat stomach.
Her eyes widened in terror.
Daniel stepped forward.
"What is that?"
Claire shook her head.
"Daniel, please."
He stared at her.
"What is that?"