Chapter 3

Ethan and Brittany stared at me.

Then, they burst into laughter.

Loud, mocking laughter that drew more attention.

"Married?" Brittany shrieked, dabbing at her eyes with a manicured finger. "To whom? The mailman? Or did you finally trap some other poor fool?"

Ethan shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "Sarah, Sarah, Sarah. Still telling stories. Who would marry you after... well, you know."

The implication hung heavy – after he' d publicly branded me as unwanted.

My face burned.

"I am married," I repeated, my voice trembling slightly despite my best efforts.

"Sure, you are," Ethan said, waving a dismissive hand. "And I' m the King of England."

More laughter from their sycophantic companions.

I felt a surge of frustration, a desperate need to make them stop, to wipe those smug looks off their faces.

My hand instinctively went to the simple gold band on my finger, then to the unique signet ring Alex had designed for me. It was a heavy, bespoke piece, an intertwined 'A' and 'S' almost hidden in the intricate design, a symbol of his love, known only to a very, very select few. It wasn't flashy, but it was undeniably valuable and unique.

Flustered, wanting to prove my words, I pulled off the signet ring.

"This... this was a gift from my husband," I said, holding it out.

My voice was barely a whisper.

Brittany' s eyes, sharp as a hawk' s, zeroed in on the ring.

Her laughter died.

She leaned forward, snatching the ring from my palm before I could react.

"Well, now," she purred, examining it closely. Her eyes widened almost imperceptibly.

Ethan frowned. "What is it, Brit?"

Brittany' s expression turned venomous. "This is a Sterling piece. A custom Sterling piece."

She looked up at me, her eyes narrowed with suspicion and malice.

"Where did you steal this, Sarah?"

"Steal it?" I gasped. "I didn't steal it! It's mine!"

"Liar!" Brittany spat. "This ring, or one very much like it, is rumored to belong to someone very close to Alexander Sterling. The Alexander Sterling."

Ethan' s demeanor changed instantly. His casual mockery vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating look. He was desperate to get in with Alex Sterling, to secure his investment, his influence.

"Alexander Sterling?" he repeated, his voice tight. "Are you trying to impersonate someone connected to him, Sarah? Do you have any idea the trouble you could cause?"

"I'm not impersonating anyone!" I cried, trying to reach for my ring.

Brittany held it out of my reach. "She' s a thief! And a delusional one at that! Trying to pass herself off as important."

Ethan' s face hardened. If I was an imposter, and he was seen with me, or worse, seen to be lenient with me after I' d "stolen" something connected to Sterling, it could ruin his chances.

His fear quickly turned to rage.