Chapter 16: The Ring That Was Stolen

Scarlett did not plan to confront Victoria at the bridal boutique. She went there because Grace Bellamy had arranged a meeting nearby, and because fate sometimes enjoyed cruelty.

Victoria stood before a wall of mirrors in a white gown, Scarlett's mother's diamond ring flashing on her finger. Evelyn sat nearby, sipping champagne as if the world had not begun cracking beneath them.

When Victoria saw Scarlett in the doorway, her smile bloomed. 'How sweet. Did you come to watch me choose what you could not have?'

Scarlett rolled into the boutique, calm despite the sudden ache in her chest.

'I came for the ring.'

Evelyn laughed. 'The ring belongs to the family.'

'No,' Scarlett said. 'It belonged to my mother. Her will left it to me.'

Victoria lifted her hand, admiring the diamond. 'Possession matters, darling.'

'So does theft.'

The boutique staff froze.

Ethan emerged from a fitting area, his face draining when he saw Scarlett. 'Scarlett—'

'Did you know?' she asked.

He looked at the ring, then away.

That was answer enough.

Scarlett's pain sharpened into disgust. 'Take it off, Victoria.'

Victoria stepped closer and lowered her voice. 'Or what? Will your Godfather send men after me?'

'No,' Scarlett replied. 'My lawyer will send police.'

Grace entered behind her with two officers and a court order. Evelyn's champagne glass slipped from her fingers.

Victoria's face twisted. 'You would humiliate me publicly?'

Scarlett looked around at the mirrors, the gowns, the watching staff. 'You announced your engagement at my birthday party with my dead mother's ring. Consider this mercy.'

Slowly, furiously, Victoria pulled the ring from her finger.

Scarlett held out her hand.

When the diamond touched her palm, grief flooded her so fast she almost broke. But she did not cry.

Outside, Ethan followed her to the car.

'I am sorry,' he said.

Scarlett closed her fingers around the ring. 'You keep saying that as if sorry can resurrect respect.'

Then she left him standing on the sidewalk with nothing but his shame.