A Six Dollar Jewel, A Priceless Revenge

Late that night, Julian's call from overseas came as expected.

The moment I answered, his furious roar shot through the line, hitting my eardrums like a bullet. "Brooke said you didn't pick her up. She had to take a cab home, and you didn't even make her dinner. She wanted to use your credit card, and you actually froze it."

"Alessia, is this how you treat my sister when I'm not around? If you don't drop that princess attitude of yours, I'll have to reconsider our relationship!"

Hearing this, I gave a noncommittal "Mm." Then I said, "Let's meet when you get back. We can talk this out in person."

My unexpected calm left Julian silent for a moment. Then, he sneered. "What is there to talk about? Is it about that damn wedding again? All you ever think about is getting married—isn't it embarrassing? I'm back the day after tomorrow. If you want to talk, it'll depend on your attitude."

He softened his tone, but his words were clearly dismissive and arrogant.

He had probably forgotten that in our first year together, he had sworn that once he became the top lawyer in Chicago, he would give me the grandest wedding the entire underworld had ever seen.

I waited seven years for him to finally make it. As soon as he did, I eagerly threw myself into the wedding preparations.

The first year, I showed Julian the meticulously crafted wedding plans. He told me, with a hint of guilt, that his career was just taking off and he wasn't in the mood to think about such things.

The second year, the busiest phase of his career finally ended, and he agreed to pick out wedding rings with me. I waited for him at the jewelry store all day, only to receive a text saying he had overslept.

This was the third year, and I had canceled the wedding myself.

I took a deep breath and began, "Julian, this isn't about the wed—"

Before I could finish, a young woman's coquettish cry of surprise came from his end of the line. He hung up without another word.

I stared at my phone but didn't call back.

...

Soon, it was the day of Julian's return. He had sent a text in advance, ordering me to pick him up, but I ignored it. Then, he called, insisting he was only free on the day he landed. He had to be back at the law firm the next day and wouldn't have time for the next few days.

To get this conversation over with, I went to the airport. The traffic was heavy, and it was already 11 PM by the time I arrived.

The VIP pickup area outside the airport was brightly lit.

Through the car window, I saw Scarlett standing on her tiptoes, her arms wrapped around Julian's neck as they kissed passionately.

I honked the horn, and the entwined couple scattered like startled birds.

When Julian saw my face, he strode over and pounded on the car window. "Didn't I tell you to be here at 7 PM? Look at what time it is!"

I rolled the window down a crack, taking in his face, pale from the cold. "Traffic," I said, my voice flat.

He was furious and about to say more, but I cut him off. "If you don't get in the car, your little treasure is going to freeze out here."

Julian paused. He set the argument aside, yanked open the back door, and let Scarlett in first. Then, he glared at me, his eyes silently urging me to get out and help with the luggage.

I ignored him, focusing on my phone and tapping out a reply to my assistant.

In the car, Scarlett sized me up through the rearview mirror. I met her gaze calmly. My eyes fell on the necklace she was wearing—it was painfully familiar.

It was my mother's heirloom, a priceless sapphire necklace.

Last Christmas, he had finally agreed to attend a charity gala with me. As we were leaving, I had put on that necklace.

He had immediately frowned and told me to take it off. "The design is too ostentatious. It doesn't suit you. It makes you look tacky."

And yet, that very necklace was now nestled snugly against Scarlett's neck. It turned out it wasn't too ostentatious—he just didn't think I was worthy of it.

Scarlett caught my gaze and offered a shy, calculated smile. "It was so chilly while we were waiting," she cooed, her voice dripping with faux innocence. "Julian insisted I wear this to keep warm. Don't get the wrong idea, Alessia."

I smiled back. "It's just a necklace. Hardly worth a fuss. Besides, Julian's the one being thoughtless. It's freezing. He should have just called a car for you instead of making you wait outside. Imagine scrimping on cab fare only to end up with hefty medical bills if you caught a cold. Penny-wise and pound-foolish, wouldn't you agree, Miss Monroe?"

Scarlett's smile slowly faded.