Chapter 2 - The Million-Dollar Ring
Chloe’s engagement ring was impossible to ignore.
It held a large blue diamond surrounded by smaller white stones. According to Chloe, it had belonged to her fiancé Nathan’s great-grandmother.
At every gathering, she found a reason to mention its value.
“One million dollars,” she told anyone who asked.
Sometimes she claimed it was worth nine hundred thousand.
Other times the number rose to 1.2 million.
The exact amount seemed less important than ensuring everyone knew she possessed something rare.
Nathan Brooks was quieter than Chloe.
He came from a successful family but appeared uncomfortable with her constant displays of wealth. During the rehearsal dinner, Vivienne found him alone on a balcony.
“You look like you’re trying to escape your own wedding,” she said.
Nathan managed a tired smile.
“I’m trying to breathe.”
“Chloe can turn planning into a military operation.”
“She wants everything to look perfect.”
Vivienne glanced through the window. Chloe was criticizing a florist while Eleanor demanded that three tables be moved.
“Perfection can be expensive.”
Nathan’s smile faded.
“It has become more expensive than we discussed.”
Before Vivienne could ask what he meant, Chloe appeared.
“There you are,” she said to Nathan. “The photographer needs another picture of the ring.”
She noticed Vivienne looking at it.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“You have never owned anything like it.”
The comment was meant to embarrass her.
Vivienne merely smiled.
“No. I usually avoid wearing items that need their own insurance policy.”
Nathan laughed.
Chloe did not.
Later that evening, Vivienne visited the security office to approve a revised guest list.
The head of security, Marcus Bell, showed her the upgraded camera system.
“We installed additional coverage near the entrances, service corridors and storage areas,” he explained. “No cameras inside changing rooms or bathrooms, of course.”
“Chloe may ask you to disable some of them.”
“She already did.”
Vivienne looked at him.
“What reason did she give?”
“She said visible cameras would ruin the atmosphere.”
“Did you disable anything?”
“No. Your father’s instructions were clear.”
“Keep everything recording.”
Marcus nodded.
Before Vivienne left, he lowered his voice.
“There is something else.”
He showed her a security report from the previous afternoon.
Chloe had entered the ballroom with Eleanor after business hours. They claimed they needed to inspect the floral arrangements, but both women spent almost twenty minutes near a locked preparation room.
“Did they take anything?” Vivienne asked.
“Not that we could determine.”
“Then make a note of it and continue watching.”
Vivienne told herself Chloe was probably hiding a wedding surprise.
She did not mention the incident to Dominic.
She was tired of being called suspicious every time she noticed something strange about his family.
On the morning of the wedding, Chloe sent Vivienne a message.
Wear the silver gown exactly as provided. Do not alter it.
Vivienne found the instruction odd.
When she examined the gown, she noticed several stitches along the side seam appeared loose.
Her own tailor would have repaired them immediately, but Chloe’s assistant was already waiting outside the dressing room.
“The bride wants everyone downstairs,” the assistant said.
Vivienne put on a fitted gray maternity support outfit before carefully pulling the silver gown over it.
The fabric felt fragile.
Before leaving, she placed her phone inside a small evening bag and looked at herself in the mirror.
She had spent three years trying to earn a place in Dominic’s family.
May you like
That day, she promised herself she would stop trying after the wedding.
She had no idea that before the night ended, Dominic would make the decision for her.
