Chapter 4

My hand gripping my clothes under my sleeve trembled even more violently.

I thought back to after he was transferred to California-every time we met, we only ever hugged and kissed.

Every time I initiated anything beyond that, he would sigh.

"I've been working so long, I'm a bit tired. Can we wait until I've rested up?"

But before he could "rest up," he'd already be gone again.

The plane was about to take off again.

Lucia kissed the camera and hung up the video call.

That's when Vincent sent me a message.

"Why don't you even trust me now, honey? Are you upset I can't spend New Year's with you because of overtime?"

"After the holidays, I'll come home and take you to that rotating hot pot place you love, okay?"

The plane took off. A flight attendant came to Lucia's new seat carrying a black and gold gift box.

"Ms. Evans, a gentleman asked us to give this to you."

"Oh my! A Prada necklace! How did he know I've had my eye on this one!"

The attendant smiled and handed over a card.

"Mr. Pierce also has a message for you."

"He hopes Ms. Evans won't be disturbed by irrelevant noise, that you'll bravely be yourself and treat all obstacles as nothing."

"Because Mr. Pierce will always stand behind you. He will always love you."

I looked at the message Vincent had sent me and closed my eyes.

"Ms. Sullivan, this diamond is from Mr. Pierce for you."

The purser handed me a diamond.

I frowned. "For me?"

The purser nodded.

"Mr. Pierce knows you and Ms. Evans had some unpleasantness. He says Ms. Evans has been a bit irritable lately-the doctor says she shouldn't get upset."

"So, Ms. Sullivan, please go give Ms. Evans a sincere apology."

I looked at the diamond and laughed, a hollow sound. "An apology? Seems a bit much."

"Don't trouble yourself over it. Mr. Pierce can make that back several times over in a day."

A six-figure diamond. Several in a day.

I turned the stone over in my palm.

Suddenly I laughed.

So a stranger was worth more than I ever was.

I nodded.

"Fine. I will apologize."

"Ms. Evans! Mr. Pierce has sent her to apologize!"

I gave a shallow bow. "I sincerely apologize for laying hands on you. Please forgive me, Ms. Evans."

"Alright."

Lucia stood up.

"Let me slap you twice, and I'll forgive you."

The purser smiled apologetically.

"Ms. Evans, she is older than you after all. Please be magnanimous and don't stoop to her level."

"So what?"

Lucia's laugh was mocking.

"This face is already ruined anyway. Whether I hit her or not, no man will like her."

"I'm doing her a favor slapping her twice. She gets to take a diamond home-she should be thanking me."

An attendant tugged at me.

"Ma'am, why don't you just let her? Let her slap you twice and this will all be over."

"She has Mr. Pierce behind her, after all."

"Right, a six-figure diamond-we're not really losing out."

Six figures...

Right.

I'd have to desperately save for ten or eight years to get six figures.

This diamond in my hand could buy ten years of my life.

I rolled it between my fingers. Then, I flicked it onto Lucia's tray.

It skittered across the surface and dropped to the floor.

"I don't want it."

SLAP!

Her hand struck my face without warning.

"I'm giving it to you," Lucia snarled, showing no mercy. "And you refuse?"