Chapter 50

"This thing is massive! And a blue diamond, no less. Honestly, it's so bright it's blinding me."

She slid the ring onto her finger, twisting her hand left and right to admire the sparkle.

"Wow, this is seriously stunning."

Yolanda stared, wide-eyed. "A blue diamond that size? That's basically a unicorn. Wait-isn't this from that forty-carat rough stone your husband bought at auction last year for, like, a fortune?"

Lucie nodded, almost on autopilot. "Uh, yeah, I think so."

"Unbelievable. Leave it to the king of casinos to go all out. That kind of stone is an investment, but instead of locking it away, he had it cut into a ring for you."

Angela took the ring and slipped it on her own finger. "Now this is what it means to be spoiled by your man."

"Lucie, you hit the jackpot. Seriously, you married a dream husband."

Lucie's throat tightened, her words catching before they could escape.

If she told them she was thinking of divorce, they'd probably call her crazy.

"Mira, if you're that jealous, why not get married yourself? I think there's a guy really into you."

Mira rolled her eyes. "Please. I'm envious of your marriage, but I'm not getting married anytime soon. Not before thirty-five, at least. I want a few more years of freedom..."

The three friends' voices overlapped, laughter and teasing filling the room.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in!"

The door clicked open.

Shannon stepped inside.

She wore a beige V-neck dress, her makeup meticulous, a bouquet of fresh flowers in her arms. She moved with the kind of poised elegance that seemed almost practiced.

All four girls turned, eyes landing on her in unison.

Shannon hesitated, just for a heartbeat, before flashing her signature innocent smile. "Lucie, I'm

being discharged this afternoon. I'm flying to America tomorrow,

came to say goodbye and to wish you a speedy recovery."

Lucie's brow furrowed. She couldn't manage even a token pleasantry.

Once, she'd merely disliked Shannon.

Now, she loathed her. The sight of her was enough to make Lucie's skin crawl.

Mira arched an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she gave Shannon a cool once- over. “Lucie, is this the fake snake you warned us about?"

Lucie's face darkened, but she stayed silent.

"Fake snake?" Shannon blinked, all wide-eyed innocence.

Mira sneered. "Look at that fake sweetness. She's the one, all right."

"I hope you recover soon. These are for you." Shannon placed the bouquet on Lucie's bedside table.

As she leaned closer, her necklace slipped into view. It's a striking blue diamond pendant.

Lucie's gaze sharpened.

The necklace was pure

extravagance: a ten-carat blue

diamond at its center, circled by five

one carat stones. The design was

exquisite, the craftsmanship flawless.

And suddenly, everything clicked.

A sharp pain pricked Lucie's chest She realized, in a flash, that Shannon's necklace and her own ring had been cut from the same original stone.

Steven had split the diamond: one half for Lucie's ring, the other for Shannon's necklace.

Revulsion washed over her. The ring on her finger suddenly felt tainted—almost filthy.

Mira caught on instantly. "Oh my god," she breathed. "Don't tell me her necklace and your ring were cut from the same stone."