The evening’s final offering was an antique ring.
As soon as it was unveiled, Chloe’s eyes sparkled.
She looked like a child unwrapping the best gift of the year.
“Sebastian, they say this ring once graced the finger of British royalty,” she whispered, nearly vibrating with excitement.
“Everyone wants it.”
Sebastian gave her a soft, indulgent smile.
“If you desire it, consider it yours.”
Her expression melted into that sweet, adoring look she reserved only for him.
“You always know how to make me feel special.”
The bidding war erupted instantly.
Starting at one million, the price soared to ten million in moments.
Sebastian remained perfectly still, unbothered.
He waited until the very last second.
Then, with a calm that silenced the room, he spoke.
“I’ll pay the highest bid.”
A hush fell.
For a heartbeat, no one made a sound.
Then murmurs rippled through the crowd.
“Mr. Harrington is unstoppable tonight. He must have spent a fortune already.”
“The Harringtons have more money than they know what to do with.”
“No wonder being Mrs. Harrington is the dream. Look at him—buying a ring that stands for eternal love without a second thought. So romantic.”
Chloe glowed under the weight of their envy.
Every gift from Sebastian was a public promise of his devotion.
The world knew he was married.
What they didn’t know was that the real Mrs. Harrington…
was me, Alayna.
Chloe acted as if she’d already claimed the title for good.
She leaned close to Sebastian, her voice a honeyed murmur.
“You spoil me too much.”
But Sebastian’s attention had already drifted.
That name—“Mrs. Harrington”—triggered something in his mind.
Alayna…
I used to trail after him, desperate for his attention.
But lately, I’d been different.
If he was out late with another woman, I would usually blow up his phone.
Tonight, nothing.
It was like… I’d stopped caring.
The idea sent an unfamiliar chill through him.
Was it panic?
Or frustration?
No. That couldn’t be right.
I loved him too much to give up.
I was probably just upset.
After all, he’d let Chloe move in.
She was carrying his child.
Of course I was hurt.
But he could smooth it over later.
He felt a little better thinking that.
After five years of marriage, I’d been the ideal wife—graceful, patient, even kind to his mistress.
Divorce was never an option.
We had our whole lives ahead.
Maybe it was time to be a little nicer to me.
A staff member approached, holding the ring.
“Mr. Harrington, Mrs. Harrington, your winning item.”
Chloe slid it onto her finger immediately.
“It’s stunning! Look, Sebastian—it fits like it was made for me.”
And it did.
The ring hugged her slim, pale finger perfectly.
But all Sebastian could picture was my hand—wearing that oversized heirloom ring that never fit right.
I’d begged him for that ring for months.
He only gave in because his grandfather insisted.
Even then, I refused to resize it.
“I won’t change it!” I’d said, clutching it like a lifeline.
“You gave it to me. It’s our engagement ring. What if resizing it makes you pretend you never did?”
He remembered another time—I’d dashed into the street after that ring when it slipped off.
A car hit me.
Broke my ribs.
I was in the hospital for two months.
All I cared about was that the ring was safe.
And tonight, he’d almost given it to Chloe.
No wonder I hadn’t called.
Some of the tension in his chest eased.
The staff continued praising Chloe’s taste.
Then, without thinking, Sebastian spoke.
“She’s not Mrs. Harrington.”