Chapter 71

“Since you are buying the necklace for your fiancée, I really can’t ask for it anymore. But Sebastian, you said you’ll get a new one designed for me.” Sofia said, her voice honey-sweet but her eyes flicking challengingly to Reese.
Reese looked at the two men in front of her-the man she’d married and the man she used to love. One was fighting over her mother’s necklace to impress his new flame, the other was trying to win points with his soon-to-be wife. All over something that should have belonged to her.
She rubbed her arms, feeling goosebumps rise on her skin. She couldn’t tell if she was cold or just numb inside. All she knew was that she was exhausted. She
turned to go.
But before she could leave, Zach spoke up. “If Ms. Meyer wants it too, I could let it go,” he said, a sly smile on his lips. “For the right price.”
He named his offer, eyes locked on Reese. “One million. Just one million, and it’s yours. What do you think?”
He glanced at her on purpose, knowing full well she didn’t have that kind of money. “And of course, if Reese wants it, the same deal applies. First come, first served.” Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs
“I’ll take it,” Sebastian said, not missing a beat.
Reese paused for a second but didn’t look back. She just kept walking, determined not to get pulled into their games.
Sebastian watched her leave, his face darkening. Was she really so eager to put distance between them in front of Zach? She could’ve just said the word. If he won the necklace, he’d have given it to her anyway.
Reese made it to her car, opened the trunk, and grabbed a clean set of clothes. She changed in the back seat, blinking back tears until her vision blurred.
A million was nothing to Sebastian. If he wanted, he could have that much cash by tomorrow. But for her, it was a mountain she couldn’t even see the top of.
Muffled sobs escaped from inside the car. Outside, Sebastian and Zach stood awkwardly, their faces growing tense.
Not far away, Sofia and Tara exchanged a look, smirking. Tara slipped her arm through Zach’s, while Sofia strolled over to Sebastian with a gentle, practiced smile.
By the time Reese got back to her apartment, it was almost midnight. She stepped off the elevator and froze-someone was waiting by her door.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her tone sharp. “Are you tracking me now?”
Sebastian leaned against the wall, tucking his phone away. “We need to talk.” She turned her back on him and punched in her door code.
“The day after tomorrow is Robbie’s school orientation,” he said. “Grandpa’s health isn’t great, and I’m swamped. I need you to go for me.”
“I’m busy,” Reese shot back as she unlocked the door.
Sebastian upped the stakes. “If you go, I’ll agree to one condition-whatever you want.”
She turned, eyeing him. “Fine. Then stop fighting me for the necklace.”
He looked disappointed but nodded. “Alright.”
Why wouldn’t she just ask him to get it for her? Why did she insist on keeping everything so separate?
Reese hadn’t expected him to agree so easily, so she narrowed her eyes, wary. “Have your lawyer send over a contract tomorrow. If you promise in writing not to compete with me for the necklace, I’ll go.”
She pushed open the door. Sebastian followed her inside.
“You really don’t trust me?” he asked quietly.
“Should I?” she shot back, blocking his path.
“That’s settled, then. You can leave,” she said, pushing him out.
“Reese—” Sebastian barely got the word out before she shut the door in his face, the edge grazing his nose.
Alone at last, Reese let out a shaky breath. With Sebastian gone, the apartment felt so much quieter.
The night’s events replayed in her mind as she pulled out her phone and called George.
“Sorry to bother you so late, George. I just wanted to check. Where are we with the divorce?”
As long as Sebastian kept his word and stayed out of the bidding, once the divorce was final and she got her share, she might finally have a shot at buying back her mother’s necklace.
“Ms. Meyer, all the paperwork is in. The earliest we can get a court date is next week.”
Reese blinked, her heart pounding.
That meant by next week, she could finally be free of Sebastian-split the assets, and maybe, just maybe, get her mother’s necklace back where it belonged.