#Chapter 12 – Thievery


    Ste


    As I slowly enter the room, arms crossed over my chest, and set my bag down on a seat by the door. I watch as Adrian drapes an elegant diamond ne into ra''s hands. The room fawns and gasps over the sparkling jewelry.


    "Congrattions on waking up from youra, ra," Adrian looks down at her, a ghost of a smile on his face.


    ra beams up at him. My heart aches at the sight, knowing that Adrian will never gift me anything beyond money aspensation.


    A man weaves through the crowd, his eyes fixated on the ne. He narrows


    his gaze and tilts his head to the side. He adjusts his sses and straightens his posture, a few people now turning their attention towards him.


    "It''s a custom replica of the Heart of the Sea! It''s highly coveted and is very expensive!" He states with awe in his eyes. ra looks around the room while keeping her dazzling smile on her face.


    "How do you know about it?" ra asks with an awkward chuckle.


    "I''m a jewelry appraiser!" He smiles at her, "your piece is very exquisite and luxurious!"


    Adrian nods, taking the piece from ra''s hands. He fastens it around her neck with ease and the room apuds from the sight. ra turns around and I can finally take in her appearance.


    She wears a floor length gown simr tost night''s attire. It''s a light blue color and shimmers under the light thates in through therge floor to ceiling windows. Her golden blonde hair is even more vibrant against the colors of her expensive outfit.


    My outfit, on the other hand, is less than special. I wear a simple dress that has a floral pattern sewn into the fabric, my shoes white but with a few tiny scuff marks on the front.


    Guests at the family gathering finally notice me, turning to each other to speak in hushed whispers, hiding their mocking giggles andughs at my appearance. I catch on to a few of their words, my breath catching in my throat.


    "ra is a much better match for him," one person says.


    "She should be his wife instead of Ste," the person standing next to them agrees. They look me up and down and quiet sneer, turning their backs to me so they can focus on ra.


    "See, Ste," my adoptive motheres up from behind me. She rests a hand on my shoulder, nails digging into my skin. "You should sign the divorce papers already and save yourself the trouble!"


    I raise an eyebrow and look up at her, shaking my head.


    "No. I don''t think I will," my tone is sharper than usual, "you can''t tell me what I can and cannot do."


    My mother steps away from me, scoffing as if I has just insulted her entire livelihood. ra''s eyesnd on me and I keep my face as emotionless as possible. She glides across the room, her dress kicking up and flowing with her every movement.


    "If it makes you feel better, dear sister," her words are sickeningly sweet, immediately giving away her charade of being a good person despite the room believing her false intentions, "I can give you the ne Adrian gifted to


    1. me.


    ra takes off the ne and lifts it up and into the air. The light catches on the now confirmed low ss diamonds. It sparkles and shines, the light catching the jewels at different angles, reflecting out into the room.


    Chapter 12- Thinery


    ra''s blue eyesnd on mine and she smiles. But I know the truth behind her grin. This is her way of showing off, of unting the wealth and status she has through Adrian and his love for her.


    "No, that won''t be necessary," 1 cooly respond, the same sharpness as before remaining in my tone.


    ra''s smile falters and she lowers her arm, ne now dangling at her side. She sulks back over to Adrian, holding the ne in her hand, the piece of jewelry hang at her side. He stares daggers at me, shaking his head with disapproval.


    "Your behavior has been so rude and Impropertely, Ste" Adrian steps forward. He points to the doors behind me, adding on, "Go home and change into something more appropriate. I will cover the cost."


    "I''m improper?" I chuckle at Adrian''s words, "you are the one whocks propriety! You are allowing people to think that ra is a third person in our rtionship."


    Adrian''s eyes immediately darken. He takes a single step towards me but stops when ra gasps.


    All eyes move to her. Adrian takes his ce at her side once again and peers into her eyes.


    "My ne!" ra exims, "it''s missing!


    The room erupts in a collective gasp. People immediately begin to move about the room while ra and I remain still. She smirks at me as people search for the ne from all around her, arms crossed over her chest.


    "I found it!" One of ra''s attendants exims minutester. The room cheers but falls silent when he walks over with the ne in one hand and my bag in the other.


    My eyes widen at the sight. I stare at my bag, unable to look away for a few brief moments.


    "This is Miss Ste''s bag, correct?" The attendant turns to look at me. I nod. "I found it inside her bag!"


    "This is all my fault!" ra whines, stepping towards the ne. She takes it in her hands and sighs, looking at me. "I should have given it to you despite you saying no to my offer earlier!"


    ra dramatically sighs and walks towards me with the ne in her hands. Her eyes sharpen on me, a big frown stered on her face.


    "I never would have thought that you would take it from me, though!" The blonde woman adds. She holds it out to me but all I can do is stare at her.


    "Ste, you must apologize immediately. Your behavior is uneptable," Adrian demands, pushing himself in front of ra, looking down at me.


    "What do I have to be sorry over? I didn''t steal it, drian, I never left your sight from the time she took it off to when it disappeared. How could I have taken it?" I push against his demand, my voice slightly rising in volume but I immediately calm myself down.


    My fists ball at my sides, all of my anger falling into my hands.


    "You''re unbelievable," Adrian scoffs and shakes his head, a scowl etching across his face.


    I suck in a breath, my eyes unable to pull away from Adrian''s green ones. There is no sign of remorse or forgiveness in his eyes.


    In this moment, I finally realize that no matter what, no matter the circumstances, Adrian will forever and always believe ra over me. He will stay by her side through thick and thin, acting more like a husband to her than he ever will with me.


    It does not matter if I divorce him or not. His clear bias towards ra will forever remain the same. He will never see me as his wife, as his equal, someone to be trusted.