Last spring, Richard attended a Christie's jewelry auction. He came home late that night. When I asked what he'd bought, he said "a necklace." I asked what kind, and he showed me a photoon his phone. I'd said, "It's beautiful. The ruby looks like frozen blood. Is it for me?"
Richard had agreed. But later he said he'd already given it away.
I thought he meant given it away. To some business partner's wife, or some family matriarch who needed courting. That was normal in high society—jewelry as social currency, circulating faster than cash.
I didn't think twice about it.
Now it hung around Olivia's neck.
The thing I'd loved, Richard had given to another woman.
"Like it?" She noticed my stare, fingers touching the ruby. "Richard gave it to me last year. Said the moment he saw it, he knew it was perfect for me. Richard's taste is impeccable. Though his taste in wives could use work."
My fingers dug into the sofa armrest, nails leaving crescent marks in the soft leather. "Olivia, if you're trying to make me jealous, save it. Plenty of women in Los Angeles envy me already."
Olivia clearly hadn't expected that response. She paused, but her smile deepened. "Envy you for what? Natalie, he only wants to conquer you. Understand? Because you keep trying to run. But if you stop running, Richard will just find you boring and treat you like he always did. You think a baby will make Richard devoted to you? Natalie, plenty of women in this world can give Richard children. You think you're the only one?"
"So what?" I stepped forward. Despite my belly, I straightened my spine, looking her dead in the eye. "So you come to my and Richard's home and throw shade at me, the lady of the house, just to imply you're better suited for Richard? Olivia, give it a rest. Because right now, I'm the one living here. I'm carrying his child. And you—" I laughed coldly, sweeping my gaze over her perfect hair and expensive suit. "Whatever rapportor history you two have, right now you're just an assistant who runs errands to pick up documents when he needs them."
My words hit home. Olivia's perfect mask finally cracked, her eyes going cold. "Natalie, I really didn't expect you to be so sharp-tongued. But you're right about one thing—Richard and I have history. If it weren't for you, we'd be married by now. I don't like you simply because you came between Richard and me. As the other woman, you have no right to talk to me like this. And as the Green family's little princess, you're not even qualified to meet with me."
"Why are you still here?"
Richard's voice came from behind us.
Olivia and I both turned. Richard stood at the foyer entrance, looking displeased, clearly having rushed back—his suit jacket unbuttoned. His gaze swept sharply over Olivia with undisguised displeasure, then quickly landed on my pale face.
He was obviously talking to Olivia. His voice was ice.
Olivia raised the folder. "Just took some time finding the document. I was about to leave when I ran into Natalie. We were just chatting."
Richard's brow furrowed. He looked at me, then at Olivia. "Give me the file. You can go." He held out his hand, his tone absolute.
Olivia obediently handed over the folder, still wearing that polished smile. "All right, I'll head back to the office. For the follow-up—"
"Get out." Richard cut her off. His voice wasn't loud, but the chill in it dropped the temperature several degrees.
Olivia's smile finally froze. She pressed her lips together, said nothing more, gave Richard a slight nod, glanced at me with an indecipherable look, then turned and left.
Only Richard and I remained in the foyer. The air felt thick. All I could hear was my own breathing, quick from agitation.
Richard held the folder, striding toward me. "Natalie, what did you and Olivia talk about?"
"Nothing. She came to get documents, didn't she?" I cut him off, turning toward the stairs. "I'm tired. I'm going to rest."
I surprised myself with how flat I sounded. But I genuinely had no energy to argue with Richard anymore. What was there to argue about? Olivia's words were factual. That necklace was proof. I'd been a fool, softening because Richard showed me a shred of tenderness, only to learn now he'd given most of his tenderness to someone else.
"Natalie!" Richard called from behind, his voice edged with suppressed frustration.
I didn't turn around. I walked straight to the master bedroom and locked the door. Leaning against the cold wood, I finally let myself shake, tears flooding out without warning. I covered my mouth to keep silent and slid down onto the carpet.
His footsteps stopped outside.
"Natalie, open the door. We need to talk."
I buried my face in my knees, motionless.
Richard and I had nothing to talk about.
