Chapter 8

Julianne knew Demetrius could afford the rings. Her patronage had made him a wealthy man in his own right. His recent exhibition had sold out, fetching millions. But she wanted the rings, and she wanted a clean break.

"Think of it as my final commission," she said smoothly. "A piece of performance art to commemorate our time together. I'll pay you for it."

He ignored her, striding into the store. A private consultant led them to a secluded viewing room. On a velvet tray lay a pair of stunning platinum rings. The woman's ring was set with a flawless, impossibly large diamond.

Demetrius took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit. It was beautiful, cold, and heavy.

"It's stunning," she admitted, admiring the way the light caught in its facets.

"Now you," he said, holding out his hand. He wanted her to put the matching band on his finger.

She hesitated. This felt too much like a real ceremony, a promise she had no intention of keeping.

Before she could move, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, his face instantly clouding with worry. Julianne caught a glimpse of the caller ID. It was Cayla's mother.

"Excuse me," he said, stepping out of the room to take the call.

Julianne knew, with a sinking certainty, what this was about. Cayla was pulling another one of her stunts.

Demetrius came back into the room, his face pale. "I have to go."

"Let me guess," Julianne said, her voice flat. "Cayla?"

He didn't answer. He just turned and rushed out of the store.

Julianne took the rings, paid for them with her own card, and followed him at a distance. He drove frantically towards the Brooklyn Bridge. She trailed behind in a taxi, a silent observer to the final act of his drama.

She found him on the pedestrian walkway. Cayla was there, standing precariously on the edge of the railing, threatening to jump.

"You went to buy rings with her!" Cayla screamed, tears streaming down her face. "You promised me, Demetrius! You promised you would leave her!"

"Cayla, get down from there!" he pleaded, his hands outstretched. "It's not what you think!"

"I saw the charge on your card! You're a liar!" she shrieked, inching closer to the edge.

Without a second's hesitation, Demetrius climbed over the railing to get to her. He grabbed her, pulling her back to safety.

Julianne stood frozen, watching from afar. She saw him hold Cayla, murmuring soothing words into her hair.

"It was a trick," he told Cayla, his voice carrying on the wind. "I had to pretend. To get her to let her guard down before I left her at the altar. I was doing it for us."

"Really?" Cayla sniffled, looking up at him.

"I swear," he said. "I've never lied to you."

Julianne felt a wave of profound exhaustion wash over her. It was all a lie. The rings, the concern, all of it. Just another performance.

She looked down at the heavy diamond on her finger. It felt like a stone, dragging her down. She pulled it off, the metal cool against her skin.