Chapter 2

Dominic didn’t get home until midnight.

When the entryway lights came on, I was in the study sorting through documents.

He tossed his jacket onto the sofa and glanced at the empty dining table.

“You didn’t leave me dinner?”

I didn’t look up.

“No.”

He seemed surprised.

No matter how badly we had fought in the past, I always left a light on and a plate waiting for him.

He stood there for a moment before walking over and tapping his knuckles against the desk.

“Still mad?”

“No.”

“Good.”

He actually seemed relieved as he sat across from me.

“My mother was harsh tonight, but she was thinking about our future.”

“And Elena closed the Bellini deal for Valenti Holdings. The diamond was part of her compensation for closing Bellini. It wasn’t personal.”

I looked at him.

“Okay.”

Dominic paused.

“That’s all you have to say?”

“What do you want me to say?”

For once, he had no answer.

After a moment, his brows drew together.

“Serena, you don’t have to freeze me out like this.”

I almost laughed.

I hadn’t yelled. I hadn’t cried. I hadn’t even brought up the ring again.

But the moment I stopped being the one who smoothed everything over, he decided I was punishing him.

My phone lit up on the desk.

The contract from Paris had arrived.

I turned the screen off.

Dominic didn’t notice.

He pulled a small box from his pocket and slid it toward me.

“All right. Enough.”

I opened it.

Inside was the five-hundred-dollar platinum band I had chosen from the vault.

“I had someone track it down.”

He leaned back, visibly more relaxed.

“This is the one you wanted, right? Tomorrow I’ll put it on you myself and we’ll redo the engagement photos.”

I looked at it for a few seconds, then pushed the box back.

“No need.”

His expression tightened instantly.

“Now what?”

“I don’t like it anymore.”

He stared at me as if searching my face for proof that I was bluffing.

In the end, he decided I was still angry.

“Suit yourself.”

Before he got up, he seemed to remember something.

“One more thing. Clear out the south-facing workroom in the Tribeca place.”

I looked up.

“Why?”

“Elena’s preparing the launch for the Valenti jewelry line. Her showroom is being renovated, so she needs somewhere to store samples for a month.”

He said it as if the answer were obvious.

“You mostly sketch in there. You can work anywhere.”

I was quiet for two seconds.

“Fine.”

This time, he was the one who looked surprised.

“You’re okay with it?”

“Yes.”

I even took the spare key to the Tribeca condo off my key ring and set it on the desk.

“Have her pick it up tomorrow.”

Dominic looked satisfied.

He reached out and ruffled my hair.

“That’s more like you.”

I turned my head away.

He didn’t notice. He was already answering a message from Elena.

The next morning, I had my assistant remove every sketch, sample, and personal item of mine from the Tribeca condo and take them to my SoHo studio.

At noon, Dominic texted me.

Mom wants us over for dinner tonight.

I replied with two words.

Not coming.

My phone rang immediately.

“Still angry?”

“I’m working.”

“Since when is work more important than dinner?”

I looked down at the Paris contract in my hand.

“Since today.”

There was a brief silence on the other end.

Dominic wasn’t used to me sounding like that. Finally, he gave a short laugh.

“Fine. Work. We’ll talk when this mood passes.”

I didn’t correct him.

Once you’ve decided to leave, there’s no point teaching the other person how to read your silence.