The Ashes Of A Vow

Synopsis

On the third anniversary of their wedding, Sebastian Shaw put his and Vivian Lin's wedding ring up for auction. The auctioneer's voice sliced through the air like a honed blade, landing in the ears of the assembled high society with an almost giddy thrill. "The final piece of the evening, privately donated by Mr. Shaw. The center stone is a 6.2-carat antique-cut pink diamond, and engraved on the inner band are the words… ‘Until death do us part.'" The room fell silent for a heartbeat—then erupted. Flashing lights surged toward the stage like a frenzy. Countless gazes cut across champagne towers, across jewels and bodies, and landed with surgical precision on the woman seated in the very last row of the ballroom. Vivian wore a black evening gown, her waist so slender it looked like a branch about to break. A tiny white magnolia brooch was pinned near her ear. She sat quietly, utterly out of place in this gilded extravagance. In her hand, she clutched a brown paper envelope, its edges crumpled from her grip. She was Mrs. Shaw. At least on paper. On the auction stage, Sebastian stood beneath the spotlight, his features cold as ice. He wore a charcoal gray suit, every cuff immaculate, even the angle of his tie seemingly measured with a ruler. This was a man born to stand above others—to command, to silence. And to grind his own wife into the dust. Someone nearby drew a sharp breath, already sensing the blood in the water. A guest ventured a teasing laugh from the crowd: "Mr. Shaw, isn't that your wedding ring? If you auction it off, won't Mrs. Shaw be upset?" Sebastian's gaze drifted toward the voice, indifferent at first—then, as if deliberately, he swept past everyone and landed squarely on Vivian's face. His voice was low, clear enough for every single person in the room to hear. "Just an old thing."