Chapter 4

I put the divorce papers away, and my mind was perfectly clear.

I started scrolling online for a decent place to rent.

Bit by bit, I began packing up my things.

Getting ready to leave.

That evening, for once, Otis came home early.

He kicked off his shoes carelessly and asked, offhand,

"Where'd you put that set of gold jewelry of yours?"

My hands went still, and I looked up at him.

That pure-gold set was the dowry my grandmother had pressed into my hands with her own hands before she died.

A full set of wedding jewelry passed down for generations, weighty with meaning.

Grandmother said it was a charm to keep me safe and see me through life.

I kept my voice cold.

"Why are you asking?"

Otis suddenly reached out and pinched my cheek, his tone easy.

"Why so tense?"

"There's a gala at the company tonight, and I need some traditional-style accessories. I'll borrow them, and give them back tomorrow."

He was lying. His company was in internet tech. What gala there could possibly call for traditional-style jewelry?

I couldn't be bothered to call him out. I just refused.

"They're not here. I put them in a safe-deposit box at the bank."

Otis's face darkened, and he slammed the door on his way out.

That night, I turned on the TV,

and a grand charity gala popped up on the screen.

Madeline was the center of attention in a red couture gown.

And at her throat, her wrists, her ears.

That pure-gold set of mine, glittering under the lights.

So he'd dug through my jewelry box long ago.

The camera cut to a close-up, and the host, all admiration, praised her with a smile.

"Miss Winfield, this heirloom gold set is exquisite, the craftsmanship superb. A truly rare treasure!"

Madeline was glowing with pride.

"Thank you. It's a family heirloom of mine. I wore it out especially today."

In an instant my blood surged, and my chest felt like a hand had closed hard around it.

My grandmother's dowry to me!

How had it become hers?

I didn't care how weak my body was,

I rushed out the door and took a cab straight to the gala.

The ballroom blazed with light.

I pushed past the security guard and locked onto the two of them in the crowd at a glance.

Otis, in a tailored suit, stood guard at Madeline's side, his eyes doting.

For a dazed moment, I felt like I was back four years ago.

At our college graduation party, he had looked at me just like that, so full of feeling, announcing to everyone that I was his only one.

Now everything had changed, and the one who drew his gaze was long since someone else.

I strode forward, my voice trembling.

"Give the jewelry back to me!"

The whole room fell silent in an instant.

Every eye landed on me at once.

Madeline paled, like a startled doe, and shrank timidly behind Otis.

Otis's brow furrowed. He looked at my pale face without a trace of pity.

"Agnes, what the hell has gotten into you?"

"This is obviously Madeline's family heirloom. You can be jealous of her, but you don't have to stoop to something this low!"

It struck me like a bolt of lightning.

He'd taken my grandmother's keepsake to curry favor with his mistress.

Made me carry the blame in front of everyone.

What a fine husband I had!

He charged forward, seized my wrist, and dragged me toward the doors.

He hauled me out of the ballroom, his voice full of blame.

"Are you done making a scene? It's just a set of jewelry. Madeline only borrowed it to wear, to keep up appearances!"

"Can't you be a little more reasonable?"

The whole thing struck me as absurd, almost funny.

I ask for my own things back and that makes me the unreasonable one?

"They're mine, Otis!"

Just then, from the ballroom behind me,

a wave of fervent cheers and applause suddenly broke out.

A sense of dread swept over my whole body.

I shoved Otis away and rushed back into the ballroom.

Madeline stood up on the high stage.

She smiled gently, holding a microphone, like a saint come down to earth.

"Thank you all for your love. This set of jewelry carries so much goodwill."

"But I know deep down that true love knows no bounds. So I've decided to melt this heirloom down, right here and now!"

"Every cent it brings will go to children who can't afford school in poor mountain regions, to help more people who need it!"

The moment she finished, the room thundered with applause.

Everyone was praising her, beautiful and kind-hearted.

"You can't!"

My eyes felt like they'd tear open. I screamed before I could think.

But the furnace was already prepared.

The gleaming gold bridal tiara, the gold hairpin, the bracelets...

taken off one by one and thrown mercilessly into the fire.

I was held down below the stage, watching them warp and melt in the flames, bit by bit.

Until nothing was left.

Tears blurred my sight.

I was shaking all over, my chest aching so badly I could barely stand.

Otis stood beside me, a flicker of barely perceptible guilt in his eyes.

He reached out to take my hand, but his tone was as cold as ever.

"That's enough, stop crying."

"Madeline was doing it for charity. I'll buy you better ones later, ten sets!"

But I knew none of them could ever replace it.

Every swallowed grievance broke loose in that moment.

I raised my hand hard and struck Otis across the face.

His face snapped to one side,

and he froze, tongue running instinctively along the inside of his cheek.

As if he couldn't believe that I, always so meek, had dared to hit him.

"Agnes!"

I ignored his roar and stumbled away.

I didn't know where to go, or where I was supposed to go.

Just as my strength gave out,

a coat, still warm with someone's body heat, settled over my shoulders.

"Miss Simmons, come with me."