02
“Patricia, there’s really nothing between Laverns and me. Can you please believe me?” Ayden’s tone softened as he reached out to take my arm. 1 was just so worried about you! looked for you all night, afraid something might have happened”
I took a step back, dodging his hand.
His words felt empty to me.
I turned to get my ID from the drawer but noticed that my jewelry box had been moved.
My heart sank.
Opening it, I found it empty.
That necklace had been my mother’s wedding gift to me, her only keepsake left to me.
Its meaning was irreplaceable.
My voice trembled as I asked Ayden, “Where’s my necklace?”
He seemed to notice the redness in my eyes and my distressed expression.
He pressed his lips together, looking uncomfortable. “Laverne said she had an important meeting today and didn’t want to appear shabby, so I let her borrow it. But don’t worry, I told her to return it right after the meeting. She promised she wouldn’t damage it.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Ayden’s phone rang.
The ringtone was distinct.
It had once been reserved for me alone, yet now the caller ID showed it was Laverne.
“Ayden, I lost the necklace you gave me. I’m so sorry.”
Laverne’s tearful voice came through the line. My eyes widened, and I felt my blood run cold.
Ayden’s voice tightened with worry. “What happened? Where are you now?”
“I… I was just outside, and some thugs blocked my way. I was so scared, Ayden.”
“Send me your location. I’ll be there right away!”
He was already moving toward the door so hurried that he put on mismatched shoes.
He seemed to have forgotten all about me. I brushed past his shoulder, heading toward the
elevator.
“I’m coming with you.”
Ayden froze for a moment, then frowned and walked toward me.
“I told you, there’s nothing between me and Laverne. Can’t you give me a little personal
space?”
I stepped into the elevator without a word, looking up at his scolding expression, feeling
completely numb inside.
“I’m going to get my necklace.”
Ayden realized he had misunderstood me. He opened his mouth as if to explain, but I was beyond listening.
We drove in silence.
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beyond listening.
We drove in silence.
Several times, he glanced at me, but he ended up saying nothing.
I didn’t care anymore.
When we reached the location, Laverne ran into Ayden’s arms.
Her pale face was streaked with tears, her hair slightly disheveled, her voice dripping with sweetness.
“Ayden, you’re finally here. I thought I’d never see you again.”
She didn’t notice me sitting in the car.
Or maybe she just didn’t care.
A police officer approached from nearby.
“So, you’re her husband, right? Try not to let her walk in secluded areas alone at night. Just sign here.”
Ayden thanked him repeatedly, one hand soothingly patting Laverne’s back while the other took the pen to sign.
Suddenly, I remembered the early days of our marriage, when I’d worked late one night and was cornered by some thugs on my way home.
Terrified, I’d called Ayden, only to find him performing at Laverne’s graduation ceremony. Hearing my sobbing pleas, he hadn’t shown a hint of concern. Instead, he’d told me that no man would ever be interested in me.
He’d hung up before I even finished.
Later, when the police escorted me home, they said the same thing to me that the officer had just told Ayden. But Ayden hadn’t comforted me. He’d scolded me harshly instead.
He said, “I don’t expect you to make a living. You’d be better off spending your time keeping the house clean instead of working overtime.”
I’d thought that when Laverne left the country, our marriage would gradually become peaceful and happy.
But it turned out these past three years had been nothing but a dream.
Now that the dream was over, it was time to end it.
I pushed open the car door, ignoring the couple clinging to each other, and spoke in a cold, clear voice. “Officer, I’d like to report a theft.
Someone deceived my husband into stealing my necklace.
That necklace was an auction piece worth one million dollars, which should be enough to open a case.”
The moment I finished, Ayden looked at me in shock.
In the three years since our marriage, I’d always been obedient and compliant around him, never once defying him.
But now, I’d exposed his relationship with Laverne right there, reporting him on the spot.
To me, he was no longer important.
to me.
