After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 13

V

Rebecca’s thoughts turned to her wedding ring the extravagant piece Jeffrey had custom–designed for their marriage.

She remembered how thuilled everyone had been when Jeffrey won that one–of–a–kind pink diamond at auction for her, and how even Jessica had confessed to feeling envious.

Even new, people still talked about what finally became of that diamond.

Rebecca’s gaze fell to the wedding ring on her left hand–one she’d somehow never really noticed. After a long moment of thought, she decided to pawn

it.

It didn’t take long for Jeffrey to catch wind of her plan. He slowly turned the wedding band on his own finger, his eyes glinting with a dangerous edge. “She’s actually going to sell it,” he murmured, his voice low and cold, “She’s got nerve.”

He thought it was because he had spoiled her that she now believed she could get away with anything

“Put the word out,” Jeffrey ordered, his tone deceptively even. “Anyone in our circle who so much as looks at what she’s selling will have to deal with

me.”

His assistant, Gregory Baker, didn’t hesitate. “Consider it done.”

The warning spread through their world within minutes, though everyone made sure to keep Jessica completely in the dark.

Rebecca couldn’t put her finger on why everyone had suddenly lost interest. The questions about the diamond had stopped as quickly as they had started.

Desperate to sell it, she hit up local jewelry stores, thinking she could find someone to buy the diamond. But every place shut her down the second they saw what she had.

“This is way out of our league. We don’t deal with pieces like this.”

“We only work with luxury brands. Something this unique is way above our pay grade.”

“You might want to try somewhere else.”

Every shop owner gave her some variation of the same story.

of options, Rebecca went to Jessica to

said, looking surprised. She thought about everything that had been happening lately and

Rebecca nodded. “Yeah.”

were really into jewelry,” Jessica said, knowing

gave me,” Rebecca said casually. “Might as well

didn’t argue. Honestly, if some guy had treated her that badly,

resale shops would take something like that,” Jessica offered, still not realizing Rebecca meant the ring. “Let me see what you’ve got–1 know

hesitated for just a second before pulling the ring from

popped it open. Her eyes went wide when she saw what was inside.

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14

Chapter 13

just nodded in

649%

when Jeffrey bought this diamond, it was over 30 million,” Jessica said, her voice dropping to an

slowly as the memories

was what made it worse–remembering how good he’d been to her made his betrayal cut deeper. She couldn’t stand the thought of him sharing the same love with someone else. If what he gave her wasn’t

Jessica asked, needing

Rebecca said, her voice firm.

in her hands. “Are

had treated Rebecca in the past. Knowing her friend’s character, she felt certain Rebecca wouldn’t part with her wedding

excuse. “No

her, not buying it for a

Rebecca admitted. After being completely spoiled for so many years, there

since they were

between them, Rebecca had genuinely never seen a better man than Jeffrey–whether on television, in novels, or among anyone she knew in real

and took care of every

and no talent, he’d shut that down immediately. Then he’d calmly tell them,

those days, everyone in their circle used to talk about how

he was devoted only to her. But peoplé could change, and it turned out even someone who seemed perfect

who might want

should prepare for the possibility that nobody will want to touch it. Even if they do, they won’t offer

through. “I just need to get at least three hundred thousand