Chapter 3

I blinked, confused.

"What necklace?"

Vivian straightened up and spoke first.

"I was kind enough to let you stay, and you repay me by stealing from me?"

"That necklace was Julian's gift to me when we were dating."

"I cherished it so much I barely ever wore it."

Tears spilled down her cheeks, looking frail and helpless.

"Ms. Sterling, please give it back to me right now."

Panic surged through me. I waved my hands frantically.

"I swear, I haven't seen any necklace!"

Julian looked at me, pure disappointment in his eyes.

"Claire, if you wanted jewelry, I could have bought you whatever you wanted."

"Vivian just woke up. Stop upsetting her."

With a single sentence, he condemned me.

I bit my lip, on the verge of tears.

"I really didn't touch it."

Vivian blinked innocently and gestured toward my room.

"Only the three of us live here. You were the only one who came upstairs during dinner."

"Whether you took it or not, we'll know once we search your room."

Julian moved to step inside.

Instinctively, I spread my arms wide, blocking the doorway.

"No! You can't search my room!"

Vivian tugged at Julian's arm.

"See, Julian? She's hiding something."

Julian looked at me, the last shred of his patience snapping.

He shoved me aside.

I stumbled back, my lower back slamming violently against the metal door handle.

A blinding, piercing pain shot through my spine. Cold sweat broke out across my forehead, and I collapsed onto the floor, curling into myself.

Julian looked down, a flash of alarm crossing his face.

He reached out to help me up, but Vivian's gasp cut him off.

"Oh my god, Julian, look!"

Julian followed her gaze. The display cabinet in the corner was completely empty.

That cabinet used to be filled with the luxury bags and diamond jewelry Julian had bought me over the years.

Even though ours had started as a strategic marriage, he had treated me generously and showered me with extravagant gifts to keep me happy.

Now, every single shelf was bare.

Julian turned back to me, his voice dangerously low.

"Care to explain this, Claire?"

"Where are all the things I bought you?"

Leaning against the doorframe, I forced myself to stand, my vision blurring.

I answered in a hoarse, raspy whisper:

"I sold them."

Julian froze. Then, he let out a harsh, mocking laugh.

He took a threatening step forward, looming over me.

"Were you really that desperate for cash?"

I wanted to scream yes.

The scans cost money. The pain meds cost money. The chemotherapy cost money.

I had asked him for money once.

Back then, his eyes were only on Vivian. He had tossed a crumpled hundred-dollar bill at my face like I was a beggar.

I had begged him to come to the clinic with me, but he had brushed it off, claiming I was faking an illness just to compete with Vivian for his attention.

Now, the words caught in my throat, choking me into silence.

Vivian crossed her arms, gloating.

"Guess we don't need to look for my necklace anymore."

"She probably already pawned it."

"Honestly, Julian, you should check who she's giving all that money to. Maybe she's keeping a secret lover outside."

Julian's face went pitch-black.

Whatever concern he had felt evaporated, replaced by icy disgust.

"Vivian took pity on you and let you stay, and you repaid her by robbing her blind."

"You truly aren't worth feeling sorry for, Claire."

"Get out of my house."

He turned to leave. In a panic, I grabbed the sleeve of his jacket.

I gathered every ounce of strength left in me, my voice shaking uncontrollably.

"Julian... I'm sick."