Chapter 3
Without even looking at me, Jonah said nonchalantly, “Don’t be ridiculous! Sasha’s dream
in life is to become a world–renowned artist.”
He didn’t bother commenting on how Patrick was trying to set him up with Sasha–even though I was the one he was supposed to marry soon.
Just how much of a pushover was I back then that I could be in love with a man whose heart
was devoted to another woman?
Biting her lip, Sasha said tearfully, “Don’t listen to them, Celeste. They’re just joking around, albeit a little carelessly. Please don’t take them seriously.”
She passed me an exquisite–looking box and said, “Here’s a gift I brought for you, Celeste. Do take a look and see if you like it.”
When I opened the box, I was greeted by the sight of a thin, dainty bracelet dotted with some barely visible fragments of rubies.
I looked up at Sasha who was wearing a necklace made with several large, intricately carved
rubies. Judging from the style and workmanship, it was obvious it was custom–made.
The sight of it made me freeze for a moment.
Didn’t Jonah get that necklace made for me?
He claimed he wanted me to wear that necklace when I walked down the aisle. The
brilliance of the red rubies signified his passionate determination to marry me.
After preparing the design draft, the designer informed me that once the rubies had been
cut for the necklace, some scraps would be left that could be used to make smaller
accessories, such as bracelets.
Well, the statement necklace meant for my wedding was now being worn around Sasha’s neck, and she had just given me the additional bracelet made from the discarded gemstone
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pieces.
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I couldn’t resist laughing, which Patrick misunderstood for joy. He scoffed in derision,
thinking that I was so ignorant that even a bracelet like that seemed precious to me.
Someone else in the room muttered, “I can’t believe Jonah would be interested in a woman
like her.”
Meanwhile, someone else looked at Sasha and was drawn in by the ruby necklace she was wearing, exclaiming, “Sasha, that’s such a gorgeous necklace you’re wearing!”
Shyly fiddling with the necklace, Sasha turned to Jonah with an affectionate gaze and said, “Jonnie gave it to me. He said it was to celebrate my return to the country. He also said he’ll give me an even better one once my exhibition is over.”
I abruptly remarked, “Oh, my! How generous of Jonah. Those rubies were a family heirloom passed down from his mother’s side. Just the design process for the necklace alone lasted almost six months. The rubies were even sent abroad to be cut and polished. That necklace was meant to be passed down in the family among the Alstons‘ daughters-
in–law. Jonah sure does care about you a lot.”
Instantly, the room plunged into silence, and Jonah’s expression darkened.
Even the most clueless of guests earlier started realizing the situation.
Since the necklace was meant to be given to the daughter–in–law of the Alston family, it should’ve been given to me, the one who was about to marry Jonah. And yet, it was now worn around Sasha’s neck. What more was there to say about that?
Sasha shakily stood up. She clutched the necklace, looking as if she didn’t know whether to take it off. Her eyes reddened within seconds.
“I’m so sorry, Jonnie… I–I didn’t know it was meant to be for Celeste. I’m such a fool. I
should’ve asked you about it…”
Her tears streamed down her face, making her seem rather pitiful.
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Hands trembling, she tried to rip the necklace. She even made it seem as though she didn’t care if she got injured in the process, for she yanked it against her neck so hard that her
skin turned red.
“Quick, Jonnie… Help me take it off,” Sasha pleaded tremblingly, even sounding like she could scarcely breathe.
Jonah’s heart ached for her. Pulling her hands away, he said, “Since I said it’s yours, that means it’s yours! Why should you take it off? Just leave it on. Don’t listen to her nonsense.”
Then, he glared at me and continued, “It’s just a bunch of rubies! Didn’t you study medicine? Why would you care so much about a handful of stones? Yqu even have a doctoral degree! I can’t believe you’re still so shallow. Aren’t you ashamed of acting this way in public?
“In any case, since it’s meant to be for the daughters–in–law of my family, that means it’s for my future wife. I have the right to decide who gets to wear it! Don’t assume it should be yours. Since I gave it to Sasha, it means she’s worthy of it.
“We’re about to get married, aren’t we? Why are you still so hung up on these petty things? You’ll be my wife anyway, so why aren’t you satisfied?”
Smiling through her tears, Sasha piped up, “Thank you, Jonnie. I really think this ruby necklace matches the gown I’m wearing for the launch of my exhibition really well. It’s been so many years, Jonnie, but you still know me
best.”
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