V


    Reba’s thoughts turned to her wedding ring the extravagant piece Jeffrey had custom–designed for their marriage.


    She remembered how thuilled everyone had been when Jeffrey won that one–of–a–kind pink diamond at auction for her, and how even Jessica had confessed to feeling envious.


    Even new, people still talked about what finally became of that diamond.


    Reba’s gaze fell to the wedding ring on her left hand–one she’d somehow never really noticed. After a long moment of thought, she decided to pawn <ol><li>it. </li></ol>


    It didn’t take long for Jeffrey to catch wind of her n. He slowly turned the wedding band on his own finger, his eyes glinting with a dangerous edge. “She’s actually going to sell it,” he murmured, his voice low and cold, “She’s got nerve.”


    He thought it was because he had spoiled her that she now believed she could get away with anything


    “Put the word out,” Jeffrey ordered, his tone deceptively even. “Anyone in our circle who so much as looks at what she’s selling will have to deal with


    me.”


    His assistant, Gregory Baker, didn’t hesitate. “Consider it done.”


    The warning spread through their world within minutes, though everyone made sure to keep Jessicapletely in the dark.


    Reba couldn’t put her finger on why everyone had suddenly lost interest. The questions about the diamond had stopped as quickly as they had started.


    Desperate to sell it, she hit up local jewelry stores, thinking she could find someone to buy the diamond. But every ce shut her down the second they saw what she had.


    “This is way out of our league. We don’t deal with pieces like this.”


    “We only work with luxury brands. Something this unique is way above our pay grade.”


    “You might want to try somewhere else.”


    Every shop owner gave her some variation of the same story.


    Running out of options, Reba went to Jessica to see if she knew any trustworthy private buyers.


    “Why do you ask?” Jessica said, looking surprised. She thought about everything that had been happeningtely and took a wild guess. “Are you trying to sell something?”


    Reba nodded. “Yeah.”


    “But I thought you were really into jewelry,” Jessica said, knowing her friend’s taste pretty well.


    “I don’t want to wear anything he gave me,” Reba said casually. “Might as well get some cash for it instead.”


    Jessica didn’t argue. Honestly, if some guy had treated her that badly, she’d be dumping all his gifts too.


    “Most luxury resale shops would take something like that,” Jessica offered, still not realizing Reba meant the ring. “Let me see what you’ve got–1 know some people I can ask.”


    Reba hesitated for just a second before pulling the ring from her bag and handing it over.


    Jessica took the small box and popped it open. Her eyes went wide when she saw what was inside. “Wait, you’re selling this?”


    20:24 Sun, 14 Sept & M


    Reba just nodded in confirmation.


    649<b>% </b>


    “remember when Jeffrey bought this diamond, it was over 30 million,” Jessica said, her voice dropping to an impressed whisper. “With that custom setting? This ring has to be worth more than 35 million.”


    Reba nodded slowly as the memories came back to her.


    That was what made it worse–remembering how good he’d been to her made his betrayal cut deeper. She couldn’t stand the thought of him sharing the same love with someone else. If what he gave her wasn’t special, then she didn’t want it.


    “You’re serious?” Jessica asked, needing to hear it again.


    “I’ve thought about it,” Reba said, her voice firm. “I’m serious.”


    Jessica turned the expensive ring over in her hands. “Are you in some kind of trouble?”


    Jeffrey had indeed been unfaithful, but Jessica also knew how genuinely he had treated Reba in the past. Knowing her friend’s character, she felt certain Reba wouldn’t part with her wedding ring so hastily unless something far more urgent was happening.


    Thinking of Jeffrey’s threats, Reba casually made up an excuse. “No trouble,” she said casually. “I just want to sell it.”


    Jessica watched her, not buying it for a second.


    “Holding onto this just makes me remember how he used to treat me like I was special,” Reba admitted. After beingpletely spoiled for so many years, there was no way she could just forget everything in a matter of days.


    He’d always been incredibly thoughtful toward Reba, ever since they were kids. Jessica couldn’t argue with that.


    Before Andrea came between them, Reba had genuinely never seen a better man than Jeffrey–whether on television, in novels, or among anyone she knew in real life.


    He always gave Reba the absolute best of everything and took care of every little thing for her himself.


    When people said Reba didn’t deserve his devotion because she was all looks and no talent, he’d shut that down immediately. Then he’d calmly tell them, “She’s worth everything I give her.”


    Back in those days, everyone in their circle used to talk about how Jeffrey–this sharp, decisive business guy–turned out to be such a romantic at heart.


    Reba had truly believed he was devoted only to her. But peoplé could change, and it turned out even someone who seemed perfect couldn’t resist temptation when it appeared.


    “Do you know anyone reliable who might want it?” Reba asked.


    “I might know someone,” Jessica said carefully. “But everyone knows Jeffrey bought this for you. You should prepare for the possibility that nobody will want to touch it. Even if they do, they won’t offer much.”


    “I know,” Reba replied. She’d already thought this through. “I just need to get at least three hundred thousand for it.”


    Jessica just stared at her,pletely speechless.


    Finally, Jessica sighed. “Look, I know Jeffrey is a total scumbag for cheating, but you’re talking about selling something worth tens of millions for just three hundred thousand. That’s crazy.”


    Reba pressed her lips together, unable to argue. From any practical standpoint, what she was doing made no financial sense at all.


    She needed to get her mom’s surgery money together as soon as possible. If she could sell it fast, she wouldn’t think twice, even if it only went for 200 thousand at most.


    “I know a couple of collectors,” Jessica said. “Let me text them and see what they say. I’ll hit you back if anythinges through.”


    Reba gave a quiet “Thanks.”


    They kept talking until Jessica suddenly got up and headed to her room.


    When she came back, she was holding a debit card. “There’s about two million in here,” she said. “Look, I know you don’t want to talk about it, but that’s


    what best friends are for.”


    “Really, I’m good,” Reba insisted. “Just trying to clear out some old stuff.”


    “Cut the crap. I know you better than that,” Jessica said, sliding the card into Reba’s purse. When Reba tried to hand it back, she warned. “If you give that back, we’re done for real.”


    Reba’s hand paused in mid–air as she found herself at aplete loss for what to do.


    “Just take this for emergencies,” Jessica insisted, sensing her friend’s distress. “The PIN’s thest six digits of the card number.”


    The card in her purse suddenly felt heavy with meaning. “Jessica…” Reba began, her voice trailing off.


    “You should prepare for that ring not to sell,” Jessica warned. “You know how Jeffrey gets. Just think what he’ll do if he finds out you sold it.”


    Reba knew exactly what Jessica meant, but right now, she couldn’t worry about that.


    “I really can’t take this,” she said, returning the card, terrified of what Jeffrey might do to Jessica. “You’ll be the first person I call if I need help, I promise.”


    Jessica’s eyes narrowed as they caught sight of the mark on Reba’s neck.


    Under her friend’s sudden intense scrutiny, Reba asked nervously, “What’s wrong?”


    ”