Chapter 4

Lucian had promised me that one day, he'd get it back for me.

But after I sold it, a private collector took it off my hands.

After that, it just disappeared.

I was crushed, always feeling like I'd failed my mom.

I couldn't even hold on to the last thing she left me.

Whenever Lucian brought it up, he was always wracked with guilt, and he never stopped trying to track down where the necklace had ended up.

So when did he finally learn about the necklace's whereabouts?

And what was he feeling when he bid for the necklace at auction, only to hand it over to Ellen right after?

I clenched my jaw so hard it hurt, my nails digging into my palms until they left bloody marks.

What was I to him?

How could he use my mother's keepsake just to please another woman?

Who the hell did he think he was?

Rage boiled in my chest.

I couldn't stand it any longer. I needed to settle things with Lucian right now.

Just then, the dressing room door opened, and that familiar tall silhouette walked in.

"Ellen, are you finished? I'll take you home," Lucian said.

When I heard that familiar voice, my whole body tensed up. I slowly turned to look.

Ellen, standing nearby, broke into a bright smile when she saw who it was and walked up to him.

"Honey, you're finally here." she beamed.

Lucian's face fell the moment he saw me.

"Sadie, why are you here?" he asked.

I arched an eyebrow and gave a cold, mocking laugh. "What, surprised to see me?"

Lucian glanced at Ellen as she practically threw herself at him, and he instinctively moved out of the way.

Then he locked eyes with me, and I could see the panic he was trying to hide.

"What were you guys talking about?" he asked.

I scoffed.

Seriously? Even now, he was still trying to hide the truth?

I glanced at Ellen, and confusion clouded her eyes.

She looked like a helpless little deer, completely bewildered.

Suddenly, I felt a twinge of pity. I couldn't bring myself to expose her in front of everyone and make her look bad.

After all, she was just another girl who got played.

I drew in a shaky breath, trying to keep my composure, and said to Lucian, "Hand over the necklace. Everything else can wait."

Lucian didn't hesitate. He turned to Ellen and held out his hand.

"Hand over the necklace," Lucian demanded.

Ellen looked at him, utterly stunned. "What?"

Lucian's brows furrowed, and he barked, "Give it to me."

Ellen looked at me and then at Lucian with his stern expression. Biting her lip in frustration, she reluctantly unclasped the necklace and handed it over to me.

Clutching the necklace, I felt a bit of calm return to my heart.

As I turned to leave, Lucian suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Sadie, where are you going?" he asked.

I shook off his hand and didn't even look at him.

"Take care of your business first. We'll talk at home," I said, my voice icy.

And I walked out without a backward glance.

As soon as I got home, I started packing my things without a second thought.

There were clothes, documents, my mom's photo album, my sketchbook, design drafts, my favorite vase, the custom bedding set with our initials, and the scarf Lucian had knitted for me himself.

There was so much stuff that my hands were all over the place.

There was just too much to pack. I could never finish it all.

I couldn't hold it together anymore. Furiously, I ripped the scarf in my hands apart.

The yarn felt like blades, slicing into my palm and leaving a sharp sting.

I slumped to the floor, covering my face, and finally let out a painful, choked sob.

There was just so much stuff in this house, all the way from the curtains and sofas to the tiniest knick-knacks and dishes.

Lucian and I picked out every single thing, piece by piece, dreaming about our new life together.

When we first bought this house, I told Lucian I wanted to design our home myself.

He stuck with me every step of the way, sketching out plans and going with me to every building supply store and furniture outlet.

Every detail in this home was handpicked by the two of us.

Renovating a house was supposed to be exhausting.

But somehow, we actually enjoyed every moment of it.

Back then, we spent every day dreaming about what our life together would be like.

We'd chat about the decor, about chores, about getting married, about having kids, and about growing old side by side.

But parting ways? That never even crossed our minds.

I truly believed we'd make it to the end together.

But now, it had all turned into nothing but a cruel joke.

With tears in my eyes, I looked around at this place that used to feel like home.

From now on, it didn't belong to me anymore.

By the time Lucian rushed home, I was nearly finished packing.

I glanced at him, taking in his frantic expression, and let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Isn't this something? Looks like even you can be desperate to come home."

Lucian didn't even bat an eye at my biting sarcasm.

He hurried to explain, his voice full of anxiety. "I only just got that necklace at the auction. I wanted it to be a surprise for you, that's why I didn't say anything.

"But then Ellen really liked it, so I thought I'd just let her borrow it for a little while before giving it back to you. I swear, I never meant to give your mom's necklace away. Please, you have to believe me."

He knew me well enough to know that the necklace was what I cared about most.

But I just couldn't hear him anymore.