After ray down, she actually managed to fall asleep for once, and the strange, vivid dreams didn''te back.


    When she woke up the next morning, Dn was already gone. She got ready quietly and headed downstairs.


    The rest of the Fergusons were already up, just like always.


    As ra stepped out of her room, she caught sight of the man who''d brought her that photost night. He stood not far down the hallway, and when their eyes met, his look was pure mockery.


    Simon already knew-thanks to Tara—that ra wasn''t quite herself these days. But that hadn''t stopped him from handing her the photo. He figured, sooner orter, when she got her mind back, she''d finally see the truth about the man she was sharing a bed with. Besides, if he didn''t give it to her now, he might never get another shot. Dn was too good at keeping her close.


    Simon strode over, smirking. "I guess you didn''t listen to me at the manor that day," he said. "I told you-Dn killed your boyfriend. That explosion out in the country? That was his doing. And yet here you are, still by his side. Guess you never really cared about your boyfriend after all. Poor guy waited for you, hoping you''de, and instead he got killed. ra, maybe you don''t get what I''m saying right now, but just remember-you''ll find something next to Dn someday. And then you''ll understand."


    He kept it quick, worried Dn might notice, and then walked away.


    ra stood there for a moment, slipping her hand into her pocket. The photo was still there. She''d nned to give it back to Simon, but as her fingers brushed the edge, a strange feeling washed over her a whisper inside, telling her these photos mattered.


    Before she knew it, the hallway was empty again.


    ra stayed there, lost in thought for a while, before finally making her way downstairs.


    Downstairs, the younger Fergusons were huddled together, talking about thetest gossip. No one looked her way or said hello.


    ra didn''t bother trying to fit in. She just found a seat by the big window, keeping to herself.


    Dn came out of a nearby meeting room and spotted her, sitting alone and staring outside. Something twisted in his chest.


    Just then, the butler called everyone for breakfast. Walter and Mrs. Ferguson came down the stairs, and the maid who''d almost been firedst night now stood meekly behind Mrs. Ferguson.


    Mrs. Ferguson nced at ra, took a long breath, and said, "Dn, let''s just let this go. ra wasn''t really hurt. I''ll pick a bracelet from my jewelry box for herter aspensation."


    That was a big deal. Mrs. Ferguson''s jewelry wasn''t just expensive-it was the kind people fought over at auctions.


    Dn acted like he hadn''t heard her, and just walked over to ra, gently pulling her to her feet. "Are you upset?" he asked quietly.


    ra''s voice was t. She wasn''t hiding her mood at all. "I want to go home."


    She called Palm Bay home.


    That alone meant more to Dn than any sweet words. For a second, his face softened and he smiled, eyes bright. "Okay."


    Mrs. Ferguson''s expression darkened when she realized she was being ignored, but she held her tongue and told the maid, "Go get my jade bracelet from the jewelry box."


    Jade was her favorite, and it was the one thing all the rich wives wanted. Sometimes, no matter how much money you had, you couldn''t buy the really good pieces.


    The rarest kind was ssy and pure green-nearly impossible to find. Mrs. Ferguson had collected a few of those million-dor bracelets years ago, and now they were worth even more.


    She''d never given one away before, and she hated the thought of giving one to ra now. But she knew she had to-it was the only way Dn would back down.


    The bracelet was brought over quickly. Mrs. Ferguson took a deep breath, forced a smile, and walked up to ra.


    "ra, you and Dn are married


    now. You can''t act so impulsively. If you expect everyone who offends you to disappear, then one day, if you fall from grace, those same people will trample you. When you deal with others, you have to think long term."


    She slipped the jade bracelet onto ra''s wrist as she spoke.


    Her heart ached. How could she be giving such a beautiful bracelet to this girl?


    She nced at Dn, knowing he still resented her for the things she''d done


    before. Whatever-what''s done is done. Maybe she''d find an even better piece someday.


    The rest of the Fergusons couldn''t


    hide their envy. They knew how rare and valuable that bracelet was. These days, jewelry and jade were all the page among the wealthy-especially that wless, deep green kind, which money couldn''t even buy.


    The bracelet on ra''s wrist was the only perfect one ever cut from that famous mine-pure ssy jade, the highest quality. Back when Mrs. Ferguson was young, it was worth millions; now, probably twice as much.


    s?novel


    ra, still a little childish, had thought about taking it off, but when she raised her


    wrist and saw that vivid, glowing green, she couldn''t help admiring it.


    She didn''t know much about jade, but she could tell it was beautiful-so clear and


    bright.


    Her smile gave everything away in an instant.


    "Honey, I love it," she said, looking up at Dn.


    Dn''s heart melted, and a gentle smile tugged at his lips. "I''m d."