I held my breath. It was Alexander and Sophia.
He was bent over the counter, inspecting a ring. His focused profile overlapped with the one in my memories.
“This is the one,” he said to the sales associate. “Pink diamond. 5.3 carats. The one I ordered last week.”
It felt like a blade slicing through my chest.
Same brand. Same style. Same carat weight.
He had sold his car for mine. Now, he would sell a yacht for hers.
So much for one of a kind. In the end, it was just another mass-replicable product.
“It’s stunning!” Sophia squealed, her voice grating like nails on glass. “Alexander, this must’ve cost a fortune!”
“You deserve the best,” he said gently as he slipped the ring onto her finger.
I turned to leave, but he caught sight of me.
He rushed out and caught up with me on the sidewalk.
“Emma, what are you doing here? It’s not safe to be out shopping alone. You know what Veridon’s like. Do you want me to drive you home?”
His concern only made the situation more bitterly ironic.
“Mr. Smith, where I go is none of your concern. You’re about to become Sophia’s fiance. Don’t you think chasing after another woman is a bit inappropriate?”
His expression froze. A flicker of hurt crossed his eyes.
Sophia came out carrying her shopping bags, proudly flashing the ring on her hand.
“Emma, you like Elouisse too? What a shame. This ring is a limited edition. There’s only one in the world. Alexander even flew in a designer from Chantelais just for me. Isn’t it gorgeous?”
I gave it a glance and offered a bland smile. “It’s lovely. He really went all out for you.”
Alexander kept staring at me, as if trying to read something on my face.
“If you… If you like it too, I can—”
“You can what?” I cut him off with a cold laugh. “Order me a matching one? So this is who you really are, Mr. Smith. The kind of scumbag who plays both sides. You’re disgusting.”
