ter

Friday night or Saturday night. His text messages were short and c

The image of Jack in that hotel

ed to go shopping in the Goldenvale District, where all the expensive

e City. She had only been there once before, for their wedding dress shopping. Ja

ace. The saleswomen looked at her with fake smiles. They r

proached. "How lovely to see you. Are

," Elena s

ything was beautiful but what was the point of buying

she heard familiar laughter from the

oice and Victoria

alked into the store with Victoria on his arm. Victoria was wearing a

city," Victoria said loudly. "Th

e most beautiful things,"

Jack talk like that.

to me," Victoria said, tou

. "Mr. Kaelthorn! What an honor! And Miss

d Victoria better tha

. "She's been living in Lysandria for years and does

eamed. "We'll take excelle

hree saleswomen surrounded Victoria. They broug

an gushed, holding up a black evening gown. "It

encouraged. "Pri

price didn't matter. When Elena shopped

out, Elena's breath caught. Victoria looked like a goddess

d softly. His eyes we

spun around playfully.

ke a queen,"

her lip to keep fr

," Jack told t

elthorn," the manager sai

sses," Jack said. "Victoria need

omplete wardrobe. Dresses, shoes, jewelry, handbags. E

dollars worth of purchases. Money Jack had ne

" Victoria said, kissing his cheek

me," Jack said. "You de

bed in the heart. Jack had never s

aid suddenly, "I think

ctly toward Ele

led out sweetly. "Is

to come out. Her face wa

said quietly. "Jac

" Jack asked coldly. He l

se she had picked up. It cost two hundred dollars, bu

iled cruelly. "What a l

ryone could see the difference between Elena'

ully," Jack said dismissivel

actical" made it so

to be careful with mone

ith money? You spend my money every day. At

slapped in public. The othe

whispered. "I did

sked, completely ignoring Elena. "I mad

, you should join us. Oh wait, did Jac

knew Jack hadn't incl

things to do," Jack said c

ed, too hu

weetly. "Well, have a lovely day, Elena. T

he store manager. "Please have everyth

ir house. Elena didn't

th extra twenty. For one the shopping trip and the other one for a ti

Jack asked Victori

a said, taking h

standing alone among the expensive clothes. The sal

hing today, Mrs. Kaelthorn?"

use in her hands. Two hundred dolla

d quietly. "I c

w Jack helping Victoria into his red Lamborghini. Victoria was la

hem drive away to their romantic lunch. She

"Thanks for not making a scene at the store. Jack was so hap

d drove home. The house felt

something horrible. Jack had never enjoyed buying her these clothes. He had never smiled wh

Victoria got joy and romance and generosity

until Dr. Mortaine came back. Thirteen more days

could survive it. Wh