Once I saw the confirmation, I finally set my phone aside.

Jacqueline was in the middle of one of her dramatic gestures when her necklace slipped down from her neckline, flashing a vivid red gemstone. That ruby—the one Jason had acquired at auction and spent three months crafting by hand—was now sitting right against her skin.

Under the weight of my stare, Jacqueline quickly tucked the necklace back into her collar. Jason let out a low chuckle, all helpless indulgence, as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.

“Darling, that ruby pops more with her bubbly style,” he said. “I picked something else just for you.”

Inside the box was a pearl necklace—understated but clearly expensive—though I knew it was just a companion piece to the ruby.

“Our love doesn’t need a piece of paper,” Jason murmured, his voice warm as he clasped the necklace around my neck. “A man knows the difference between love and lust. You’re too soft for me to be rough with in bed. She’s different—she satisfies every need I have.”

Jacqueline’s face shifted the second she heard that. “Ugh, Jason, you told me you couldn’t live without me when we were together. Now you’re saying this? Don’t bother crawling into my bed tonight.”

“As if I’d want anywhere near your bed.”

Their usual bickering twisted like a knife in my chest. God, I’d been so naive.

Back in college, every time the three of us were together, it was all about their bickering—fighting over who cared more, who got more of my time. I was always too busy keeping the peace to see what their exchanges really meant.

I ripped the necklace off, screaming, “Get out!”

As I yanked it away, the chain left a long scratch across my neck, beads of blood rising to the surface. Jacqueline stepped back, clearly startled by my sudden fury.

In her mind, I had never truly lost it. I never raised my voice at anyone. Even when my college application was tampered with, I didn’t curse Jason once—I just cried alone in my room.

That’s exactly why they were so sure I’d swallow my pride, stay quiet, and retreat like always.

She clutched her belly, her breathing going rapid and shallow. Jason shot me a disapproving look as he gently pulled her against him. “Shay, why are you acting so reckless right now? She’s pregnant—don’t scare her.”

The man who once worried over a bug bite on my skin was gone. Whatever hope I’d been holding onto was completely snuffed out.