#Chapter 12 – Thievery
Stella
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 necklace into Clara’s hands. The room fawns and gasps over the sparkling jewelry.
“Congratulations on waking up from your coma, Clara,” Adrian looks down at her, a ghost of a smile on his face.
Clara beams up at him. My heart aches at the sight, knowing that Adrian will never gift me anything beyond money as compensation.
A man weaves through the crowd, his eyes fixated on the necklace. He narrows his gaze and tilts his head to the side. He adjusts his glasses 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. Clara looks around the room while keeping her dazzling smile on her face.
“How do you know about it?” Clara 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 Clara’s hands. He fastens it around her neck with ease and the room applauds from the sight. Clara turns around and I can finally take in her appearance.
She wears a floor length gown similar to last night’s attire. It’s a light blue color and shimmers under the light that comes in through the large 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 and laughs at my appearance. I catch on to a few of their words, my breath catching in my throat.
“Clara is a much better match for him,” one person says.
“She should be his wife instead of Stella,” 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 Clara.
“See, Stella,” my adoptive mother comes 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. Clara’s eyes land 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 necklace Adrian gifted to
- me.
Clara takes off the necklace and lifts it up and into the air. The light catches on the now confirmed low class diamonds. It sparkles and shines, the light catching the jewels at different angles, reflecting out into the room.
Chapter 12- Thinery
Clara’s blue eyes land on mine and she smiles. But I know the truth behind her grin. This is her way of showing off, of flaunting 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.
Clara’s smile falters and she lowers her arm, necklace now dangling at her side. She sulks back over to Adrian, holding the necklace 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 Improper lately, Stella” 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 who lacks propriety! You are allowing people to think that Clara is a third person in our relationship.”
Adrian’s eyes immediately darken. He takes a single step towards me but stops when Clara gasps.
All eyes move to her. Adrian takes his place at her side once again and peers into her eyes.
“My necklace!” Clara exclaims, “it’s missing!
The room erupts in a collective gasp. People immediately begin to move about the room while Clara and I remain still. She smirks at me as people search for the necklace from all around her, arms crossed over her chest.
“I found it!” One of Clara’s attendants exclaims minutes later. The room cheers but falls silent when he walks over with the necklace 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 Stella’s bag, correct?” The attendant turns to look at me. I nod. “I found it inside her bag!”
“This is all my fault!” Clara whines, stepping towards the necklace. 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!”
Clara dramatically sighs and walks towards me with the necklace in her hands. Her eyes sharpen on me, a big frown plastered 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.
“Stella, you must apologize immediately. Your behavior is unacceptable,” Adrian demands, pushing himself in front of Clara, 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 Clara 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 Clara will forever remain the same. He will never
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#Chapter 12 – Thievery
see me as his wife, as his equal, someone to be trusted.
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