Mrs. Belmont found it rather strange that the earrings were difficult to remove. She called, "Ruelle, help your sister remove it."
Dizzy, that was how Ruelle felt right now. She heard her mother's distant voice as she came back to the present. Finding words, she replied slowly, "I don't know how. I never wore them."
"Not even once?" Caroline found it amusing and she touched the diamond earrings.
"Be quiet, Caroline. What is going on, Ruelle?" Mrs. Belmont could sense something to be wrong. She noticed how Ruelle looked frozen.
Ruelle didn't know how to break the news. She felt fear creep into her chest as she could already feel the blame falling on her. But she tried explaining,
"I don't think they will come off on their own. We might need to involve Sexton for its help. I think these earrings form a contract between Sexton and the one who wears them."
As if finally dawning in her mind, Caroline's smile faltered and she asked, "What contract?"
