hed twice. "

"Either way,

watch Eleonore's

and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Slowly, sh

. "Happy birthday, Isabelle. This is the original receipt for the 'Star of

e a burning coal. Her eyes swept over the details: the lot number, the official description, the final hammer price - a number wi

she wished the floor would swallow her whole. The whispers died instantly, replaced by a stunned, awkward silence. Ever

She had thought her plan to expose Eleonore was flawless, o

xpression t

pt could b

bought it with me. If you think it's fake,

n fell

e of Vanessa had mad

's gift was genuine, and his first lov

e him was calm

ed... di

to Isabelle. "I

me, I'm not feeling w

able, turned, and walked away, her

, she walked out of the club and d

ide. She felt no triumph. She only felt tired. So impossibly tired. Three years. He h

anced down, expecting a text from Pr

him. It was an

nt, Mark Sullivan, will contact you to arra

r was For

the most respectful thing anyone had said to her all night. It was a promise of a

d a simp

nk y

d placed a comforting hand on his arm. But for the fi

, his mind was filled with

d suddenly becom