Evelin's POV
I was heading to Grey Ford's office to drop off a project proposal when I stopped dead in my tracks. There he was, fastening a ruby necklace around Grace Bennett's throat.
That necklace. My stomach dropped like a stone. I'd seen it in an auction catalog and practically begged Grey to buy it for me.
Three years of marriage, and I'd never asked him for anything.
This was the one time I'd laid my heart bare—for a necklace that meant everything. It wasn't just jewelry. It was my mother's, a piece of my very soul.
"Staring at that thing like it's the crown jewels? Classic orphan move, no class whatsoever," Tate Anton, Grey's obnoxious buddy, sneered from his corner.
I didn't even look at him. I lunged forward, reaching for the necklace hanging from Grace's neck.
Before I could snatch it, Grey grabbed my wrist.
"It belongs to Grace now," he said, his voice like winter.
"You promised it to me!" My voice cracked, my usually calm face blazing with anger I rarely let show.
Grey's jaw clenched, annoyance sparking in his dark eyes. "Relax, Evelin. It's a congratulations gift for Grace's promotion to co-pilot."
Relax? My heart crashed to the floor. "What if I want it back?"
Tate snorted with cruel amusement. "See, Grey? I warned you. Evelin's beneath you—greedy little thing with no real skills. Dump her already. Grace's actually in your league."
Grey and my marriage was kept under wraps, only known to our inner circle. But everyone knew Grace was Grey's ex, the one who still had her claws in him.
"I'm not here to break up marriages," Grace said with an eye roll. She yanked the necklace off and flicked it onto the floor at my feet like discarded garbage.
A million-dollar piece, treated like trash.
My eyes burned. This was my mother's treasured keepsake, something sacred.
I dropped to my knees slowly, gathering it up, the edges cutting into my skin.
Grace looked down at me with a condescending smile. "Real women pursue careers and ambitions, not shiny trinkets. Maybe focus on bettering yourself instead of fighting over jewelry."
"Exactly," Tate jumped in. "What's she even accomplished? Some questionable degree from a community college? If Grey hadn't thrown her a pity job, she'd be scrubbing toilets somewhere."
And my husband? Silent as a grave.
I stood up, ignoring Tate completely, my gaze drilling into Grace. "You claim you're not a homewrecker, but you're perfectly fine accepting million-dollar gifts from another woman's husband?"
Grace scoffed. "We're just friends. I didn't even check the price tag."
"Really?" I fired back. "Friends just exchange million-dollar presents? Tate's your friend too, right? Has he ever spent that kind of money on you?"
Grace fell silent. Even Tate's smirk wavered.
"Enough," Grey barked. "It's just a necklace. Don't blow this out of proportion."
My fingers tightened around the piece. Just a necklace.
To him, maybe. But to me, it was everything. My mother had traded this necklace in a war-torn country for food and medicine, saving fifty orphaned children.
It wasn't just an accessory—it was my mother's legacy.
Drawing a shaky breath, I remembered the call I'd received earlier. My parents' ashes were flying in, arriving in Bonnie City tomorrow.
I met Grey's eyes. "Fine, forget the necklace. Tomorrow, my parents' ashes are being returned from overseas. I need you there with me to collect them."
My parents had always worried about me, about whether I'd find happiness, a solid marriage.
I wanted Grey beside me, to honor them—and to salvage what little dignity I had left.
Grey hesitated. He'd heard me mention once, right after we married, that my parents had died in an accident abroad.
Something flickered across Grace's face, but Tate cut in with a sneer. "Evelin, you've got nerve, pulling a sob story about your parents' ashes to manipulate Grey into playing husband."
I didn't spare Tate a glance. I just held Grey's stare.
His sharp features softened briefly, then he gave a nod. "Fine. I'll come with you tomorrow."
I said nothing more, just turned and walked out.
As the door closed behind me, I caught Tate's voice. "You're seriously going along with her charade?"
"She's my wife," Grey replied, his voice even. "I should be there when she picks up her parents' ashes."
Tate's laugh was cold and cutting. "She's lying through her teeth. Who the hell ships some orphan's parents' ashes from across the globe?"
That word—orphan—sliced right through me.
I looked down at the necklace cradled in my palm. "Mom, Dad," I whispered. "I'll be there to bring you both home tomorrow."
---
The next day, when our agreed time came and went, Grey was nowhere to be found. Anxiety knotted in my chest.
I dialed his number, only to hear his irritated sigh.
"Grace's mother twisted her ankle. I'm at the hospital with her."
"Grey, hurry up and come help my mom," Grace's voice drifted through the phone, sweet and demanding.
"I'm coming," Grey said, his tone gentle and indulgent, like he was soothing a child.
Before I could get a word in, he hung up.
A cold pain spread through my chest, my throat closing up like I'd swallowed broken glass. I wanted to scream, to unleash all this rage, but no sound would come.
What a cruel joke—my husband could rush to play hero for his ex's mother over a twisted ankle, but he couldn't be bothered to help his own wife bring her parents home.
I took a deep breath, straightened my spine, and walked out of the house. I drove to the military compound, stopping at the entrance.
The base loomed imposing and solemn, guards in crisp uniforms gripping their weapons.
I stepped out of the car, my spine rigid, my stride confident.
Three years since I'd left the service, but I still moved like I was born for battle.
I planted myself at the gate, stood at attention, and delivered a razor-sharp salute.
Even if I had to do this alone, I'd bring my parents home.
My voice cut through the silence, clear and unwavering. "Evelin, former Alpha Special Operations, requesting retrieval of Lieutenant Colin Elysia and Medic Jamiya Elysia's remains, Aegis Guard Regiment!"
My declaration rang out like a battle cry, echoing across the compound.
The gates creaked and slowly opened wide.