Amy spent the entire day at the office distracted, her mind flitting between reports and the subtle tension she always felt around Ethan. By evening, she had retreated to her apartment to prepare for the auction.
She chose a deep emerald evening gown, flowing over her curves, paired with delicate silver earrings. Loose curls framed her face, and her makeup highlighted her eyes, giving her a confident glow. She hoped Ethan would notice—maybe even compliment her. But she wasn't sure he ever would.
When she arrived at the lobby of his office building, Ethan was already waiting outside the elevator doors, leaning casually against the polished wall, checking his watch. Amy's heart fluttered; she expected a warm smile, a word of praise. Instead, he simply said, "Let's go." His eyes never lingered. No glance at her gown, no acknowledgment of the effort she'd put in. Amy forced a polite smile, hiding the sting.
The drive to the auction was tense. Ethan gave only occasional clipped directions to the chauffeur, his eyes constantly scanning the road. Amy's confidence faltered under his cold gaze. Why is he like this tonight? she wondered, twisting her fingers in her lap.
The hall was breathtaking when they arrived. Glittering chandeliers hung over displays of rare jewelry and art. Guests in designer gowns and tuxedos mingled effortlessly, laughter and polite chatter filling the air. And then she saw her—Mirable—standing near a display of rare paintings, her posture perfect, her smile faint but deliberate. Amy's chest tightened. Why is she here?
Needing a moment to compose herself, Amy slipped into the restroom. She dabbed her foundation, checked her curls, and adjusted her dress. In the mirror, she tried to see herself as poised and elegant, but nerves made her hands tremble slightly.
A shadow moved behind her. Mirable had followed quietly, almost imperceptibly. With practiced subtlety, she slipped a glimmering emerald necklace worth a million dollars into Amy's bag, then melted back into the crowd as if nothing had happened.
Amy returned to the main hall, unaware of the trap. Murmurs quickly swept through the room as Mrs. Baylor, the auction owner, frantically searched for the missing necklace. "It was right here!" she exclaimed, eyes scanning guests, her voice tight with panic.
Mirable appeared at her side, voice sweet, almost innocent. "Perhaps… you should check Amy's bag? She went to the restroom with you." Her eyes glimmered with satisfaction as the suggestion took hold.
Amy froze as the necklace was discovered in her bag. Gasps spread like wildfire. Whispers quickly turned to judgmental laughter and then insults. "Is that the Davis girl? Are they really so poor they can't afford a million-dollar necklace?" one guest sneered. Another added, "I can't believe she would steal from a charity auction! Someone call security!"
Amy's cheeks burned crimson. Her chest tightened as the room seemed to shrink around her. She opened her mouth to protest, but words failed her. Every eye felt like a spotlight, and every whisper felt like a knife.
Ethan's gaze landed on her, sharp and unforgiving. His jaw tightened, lips pressed into a thin line. "Amy, what is this?" he snapped, voice cutting through the murmurs. Humiliation pricked at every nerve.
She tried to explain, voice trembling, but he didn't wait. Ethan stepped forward, taking Mirable's arm instead, his expression dark and furious. He left without another word, leaving Amy standing there alone, red-faced, isolated, and burning with a mix of anger, betrayal, and shame.
Whispers followed her as she stumbled back, trying to collect herself. The hall suddenly felt colder, the chandeliers harsher, the crowd's judgment suffocating. How could he believe her over me? she thought bitterly, fists clenched.
Amid the humiliation, a spark of determination flickered inside her. Mirable had set her up, and Ethan had chosen to believe the lies—but Amy knew something deep within her that wouldn't break so easily. One day, she would untangle this web, expose the scheming, and reclaim everything that had been stolen from her.
Even as the room buzzed with scandal, Amy's mind began plotting quietly. This wasn't the end. It was only the beginning.