Chapter 4Vow of the Vane: Eight Years of Lies, One Lifetime of Power

The flight was in three days.

I went back and packed. I took everything that was mine. Everything I couldn't take, I burned.

Our photo albums were in the nightstand, but there was one on Preston’s desk. He hadn't been home in a while, so the desk was dusty, but the album was pristine.

He must have been looking at it often.

I picked it up to throw it in the fire, but photos fell out. They weren't of us. They were of him and Misty.

I remembered when Misty first visited. She said our wedding-style photos were "so pretty." I guess they went and took their own set.

I closed the album and put it back.

The clock struck 5:00 PM. Preston had missed our "noon" date.

Ping.

A voice note from Elias Vane. "I sent the marriage contract to your place via courier. Just sign it."

I replied with an emoji.

I turned around, and Preston was standing there. "Who are you talking to? You look so happy."

I shook my head and tried to walk past him. "Move."

He held out a hand. In it was a perfectly restored necklace. My mother’s necklace.

"You... you found them?"

He scratched his head. "Spent hours looking. Nearly went blind."

"So you didn't show up at noon because you were looking for the beads?"

"Duh." He hugged me gently. "I'm exhausted. My back is killing me from crouching all day."

"There are two beads missing, though. You won't be mad I’m late, will you?"

I held the necklace, my vision blurring. Tears hit my palms. "Preston... thank you..."

"What are you saying? You're my fiancée."

I ran into the bedroom to get the beads I had saved. But when I compared them... the color was wrong.

The necklace he gave me had a fake "antique" patina, but it wasn't the same as the beads in my bag.

I collapsed on the floor, sobbing silently.

Preston, how long were you planning to lie to me? What am I to you?

A voice came from the door. "Package for Claire Miller. Signature required."

Preston walked in, already tearing open the envelope. "What's this? Some legal document?"

My phone lit up. Elias: Did you get the contract?

I looked up, my eyes locking with Preston’s.