Chapter 3His Shadow Vow

That night, I was scrolling through my phone in bed when Grant wrapped himself around me from behind, his breathing steady and even.

A message from my best friend popped up.

“OH MY GOD! LEAH! That necklace, ‘The Titan’s Tear,’ that Grant paid an insane amount for at the charity gala the other night… did he give it to you?!”

Attached was a high-resolution photo.

In the picture, a massive sapphire necklace glittered under the lights, practically blinding.

I thought of the one Grant had just placed around my neck. It was exquisitely made, but nowhere near as breathtaking as the one in the photo.

So, that one wasn't for me.

A sour, hollow feeling spread through my chest, my limbs beginning to feel numb. I bit my lip to keep a sob from escaping, but the small movement woke the man behind me.

Sensing my silent tears, Grant sighed with that familiar, indulgent tone. He turned me over, his lips brushing against my cheek.

When he tasted the salt, he apologized instinctively. “I’m sorry. I made you cry again.”

That was Grant’s way. Right or wrong, he was always the first to back down, to soothe me.

The next morning, the space beside me was empty. A courier delivered a small white cocktail dress.

Then his call came, his deep voice on the line. “Morning, sleepyhead. Did you get some rest? I need you to come with me to a gala tonight.”

I hesitated.

He laughed softly, reassuring me. “Don’t worry. It’s just a birthday party for a friend’s daughter.”

I ended up wearing the dress.

That evening, as Grant led me from the car, countless probing eyes landed on me.

Whispers buzzed around us like flies.

“So that’s the one who waited seven years?”

“She’s pretty enough, I guess. Must be almost thirty, though. Suppose she finally made it.”

My nerves got the best of me, and I nearly tripped. Grant’s hand shot out to steady my waist, his touch firm. He gave me a reassuring smile.

I took a deep breath and straightened my back.

Grant was quickly pulled away by a few business associates, leaving me standing awkwardly with a glass of champagne.

Suddenly, a small commotion rippled through the crowd.

I looked up and saw Audrey walking toward me, her arm linked with a handsome man I didn’t recognize.

She was wearing a fiery red gown, her pregnancy not yet showing.

And around her neck, the massive sapphire from the photo burned my eyes.

She stopped in front of me, her gaze dropping to the necklace I was wearing.

“Leah, that necklace really suits you. It seems I have good taste, after all.”

I was frozen solid, the blood turning to ice in my veins.

She continued as if she hadn't noticed my expression, her tone deceptively sweet.

“Grant is hopeless with these things. A complete brute when it comes to style.”

“I heard he wanted to get you a gift, so I offered to help him pick this one out.”

“You don’t mind, do you?”

Mockery, ridicule, pity.

A kaleidoscope of expressions flashed before my eyes from the faces around us.

I turned and fled.