Chapter 4

Hidden beneath my sleeves, my hands were trembling.

I suddenly remembered every time Carl had come home since the Moretti family transferred him to the southern coast.

We would hug.

Sometimes kiss.

But that was all.

Whenever I tried to get closer, he always stopped me.

"Work's been hell lately," he'd say with a tired sigh. "I'm exhausted, Zoe. Give me a few days to recover."

But somehow, he always had to leave again before those few days were up.

Back then, I'd worried about him.

Now I finally understood.

He hadn't been tired.

He simply didn't want me.

The plane was preparing to take off again.

Across the aisle, Roberta blew Carl a kiss through the screen.

"See you soon, hubby."

Then she ended the video call.

Almost immediately, my phone vibrated.

Carl.

Babe, you really don't trust me anymore?

Is this because I'm working through New Year's instead of being home with you?

Are you mad at me?

Another message followed.

I'll make it up to you when I'm back.

I'll take you to that hot pot place you love, okay?

I stared at the screen.

Hot pot.

Ten years together, and that was what he thought would make me happy.

The aircraft began climbing again.

A few minutes later, a flight attendant approached Roberta carrying an elegant black box stamped with gold lettering.

"Ms. Delgado?"

Roberta looked up.

"A gentleman arranged for this to be delivered to you."

She opened the box.

Her eyes lit up.

"Oh my God."

She lifted out a necklace.

"Prada! I've wanted this one forever."

The flight attendant smiled and handed her a card.

"Mr. Stephens also asked us to pass along a message."

Roberta sat straighter.

The attendant read carefully.

"He said he hopes Ms. Delgado won't let anyone's words ruin her mood."

My fingers tightened around my phone.

"He wants you to be bold and be yourself. Whatever obstacle appears in front of you, ignore it."

The attendant paused.

"Because Mr. Stephens will always be behind you."

Roberta's smile widened.

"He also said he loves you."

Always.

I lowered my eyes to the messages Carl had sent me.

I'll take you to hot pot.

I slowly closed my eyes.

"Ms. Kaufman?"

Chief Purser Morgan appeared beside me.

A small velvet pouch rested in her palm.

"This is for you."

I frowned.

"For me?"

She opened the pouch.

Inside was a loose diamond.

Even under the cabin lights, it flashed brilliantly.

"Mr. Stephens sent it."

My stomach tightened.

Morgan lowered her voice.

"He was informed about the disagreement between you and Ms. Delgado."

Of course he had been.

"Mr. Stephens said Ms. Delgado has been under considerable stress recently."

Morgan gave me an apologetic smile.

"Apparently her doctor has advised her not to get too upset."

I almost laughed.

"So?"

Morgan hesitated.

"He hopes you might apologize."

I looked at her.

"A sincere apology."

Then I looked at the diamond.

"For one apology?"

Morgan smiled.

"You don't need to worry about the value."

She spoke as if she were reassuring a child.

"Mr. Stephens earns enough to buy several stones like this in a single day."

My fingers went numb.

Several a day.

The diamond in my palm was worth six figures.

Carl had told me we couldn't afford a car.

He had watched me wear the same winter coat for five years.

And now he was casually throwing six figures at a stranger because I'd upset his mistress.

I turned the diamond between my fingers.

Then I laughed.

"Fine."

Morgan brightened.

"You'll apologize?"

I nodded.

"Yes."

She immediately turned toward Roberta.

"Ms. Delgado, Ms. Kaufman has agreed to apologize."

Roberta looked delighted.

I walked over.

Then I gave her a small bow.

"I shouldn't have hit you."

My voice was calm.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Delgado."

Roberta studied me for a moment.

Then she stood.

"Sure."

Her smile turned cruel.

"Let me slap you twice and we'll call it even."

Morgan froze.

"Ms. Delgado..."

She laughed nervously.

"Ms. Kaufman is older than you. Perhaps you could be generous and let the matter end here."

"So what if she's older?"

Roberta looked directly at me.

"Look at her."

Her gaze dragged across my face.

"Two slaps aren't going to make her any uglier."

My jaw tightened.

Roberta pointed at the diamond.

"She gets hit twice and walks away with six figures."

She smiled.

"She should be thanking me."

Another attendant, Harper, lightly touched my sleeve.

"Ma'am."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Maybe just let this go."

I looked at her.

"Two slaps and it's over."

She glanced nervously toward Roberta.

"She has Mr. Stephens protecting her."

Morgan nodded.

"She's right, Ms. Kaufman."

Her voice softened.

"That diamond is worth more than most people make in years."

Years.

For me, it would be closer to a decade.

Ten years of saving.

Ten years of saying no to new clothes, vacations, better apartments.

Ten years of my life reduced to one tiny stone.

I looked at it one last time.

Then opened my fingers.

Clatter.

The diamond landed on Roberta's tray table.

Rolled once.

Then fell onto the floor.

"I don't want it."

Roberta's face changed.

Slap!

Her palm struck my face before anyone could react.

My head snapped to the side.

"I give you something and you dare throw it away?"

The force sent me stumbling backward.

Harper caught my arm before I fell.

"Ms. Kaufman!"

Morgan rushed forward.

"Please, calm down."

Then she turned toward me.

"Ms. Delgado has always had a temper."

Harper crouched down.

"We'll find the diamond. Don't worry."

I tasted blood.

Then I straightened.

Roberta was still glaring at me.

So I hit her back.

Crack!

My palm caught her across the face hard enough to knock her into her seat.

She stared at me in shock.

"You hit me?"

"Damn right."

I stepped toward her again.

Two attendants immediately grabbed me.

Another pulled Roberta away.

For the rest of the flight, the crew watched both of us constantly.

No one dared let us get within arm's reach of each other.

The moment we landed in Kingsbury, Roberta was the first one out.

Her eyes were red.

Her cheek still carried the shape of my hand.

I followed several steps behind.

Then I saw her run through the private arrivals gate.

Straight into a man's arms.

My husband.

Carl caught her immediately.

"What happened to you?"

His face changed the second he saw her cheek.

Panic.

Anger.

Real concern.

More concern than I'd seen on his face when we lost our baby.

Roberta buried herself against his chest.

"She hit me again!"

Carl's expression darkened.

"Who?"

"It's all your fault!"

She pounded lightly against him.

"That stupid diamond you gave her only made her more arrogant."

Her tears came effortlessly.

"No one has ever treated me like this before."

Carl wiped them away.

"Don't cry."

Roberta sniffled.

"She humiliated me in front of everyone."

His jaw tightened.

"Where is she?"

He looked past Roberta toward the arriving passengers.

"I'll deal with her."

I stopped a few feet away.

"Right here."

Carl froze.

Slowly, he turned.

I reached up and removed my cap.

His face drained of color.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

I looked at the man I'd been married to for ten years.

The supposedly struggling employee.

The man who couldn't afford to replace my wedding ring.

The man now standing in a private arrivals lounge with his mistress in his arms.

Then I smiled.

"Hello, Mr. Stephens."