“Ethan, is this what you want too?” I asked, noticing the fresh love bite exposed on Victoria’s neck as she lifted her chin.
My heart ached with fine, needle-like pains, persistent and sharp.
This amethyst had been our bonding token.
We first met at a charity auction where we both set our eyes on this crystal. The amethyst possessed exceptional healing properties, valued at 10 million dollars.
On the night Ethan marked me, he hand-wove a cord and tied the amethyst around my neck.
He promised me forever that night.
I knew Victoria coveted it. She had asked Ethan for it numerous times, but he always refused.
But this time, he averted his gaze, his eyes filled with hesitation and guilt.
“Maybe you should—”
“Fine.”
I laughed bitterly, yanking the amethyst from my neck and placing it in Victoria’s outstretched hand.
As Victoria gleefully put it on, I remarked, “It suits you perfectly. But remember to transfer the 10 million dollars to my account.”
Then I left with my daughter, leaving Ethan staring after us in shock.
Back at the villa, Lily was still sobbing uncontrollably.
Fighting back my own heartache, I took her small hands in mine and asked:
“Lily, if Mommy wanted to take you away from here, would you come with me?”
Lily’s tears fell even harder. “Mommy, can’t we stay?”
“But Lily, Daddy and Grandma don’t want us here. Do you want to call him Uncle forever?”
I held back my tears, looking tenderly at my daughter.
Selfishly, I wished she was only my child, someone who would always love me unconditionally.
But that wasn’t realistic.
Lily clutched the Lego set in her arms—last year’s birthday gift from Ethan.
“Mommy, can I have one more birthday with Daddy… please?”
