Chapter 2
Knox never reached out to me after our confrontation.
This was his pattern–whenever caught in the wrong, he’d retreat into silence.
Later that afternoon, my phone buzzed with a message from Valentina, my best friend.
“Vega, why are you ignoring me?! I just saw you at the auction house and called your name like ten times, but you didn’t
react.”
I frowned, quickly replying: “I haven’t left the house today. You must have seen someone else.”
“It wasn’t you? I swear I saw that sapphire mermaid gown you had custom–made. Your husband was there too.”
“Vega, wait–I just got a clear shot of her face.”
A photo appeared on my screen moments later.
Knox stood there in an impeccably tailored black suit.
Next to him was Bailey Carter, wearing MY couture dress, smiling as she chatted with someone.
I stared at the photo for a full ten seconds.
Before I could process this, another message popped up.
This time from Knox’s executive assistant, with a screenshot attached.
It was Bailey’s social media post: “My first time at the Zenith Auction! Thanks to Mr. Blackstone for introducing me to real high society!”
The accompanying photo showed her sitting in a front–row seat at the auction, with Knox beside her, a slight smile on his face–clearly approving of both her selfie and caption.
I suddenly remembered something: Knox absolutely hated being photographed.,
Even during our honeymoon phase, whenever I tried to take a couple’s photo, he would frown and refuse.
Clearly, my morning punishment had been too lenient.
Not only did he dare bring another woman to the most exclusive auction in our social circle, but he let her wear MY dress and approved of her flaunting their photo together.
I forwarded the picture directly to Knox.
“Care to explain how MY dress ended up on HER body?”
The message showed as read, but he didn’t respond.
A few minutes later, I took a photo and sent it to him.
Valentina’s message appeared immediately after:
11.1%
Chapter 2
“Vega, what did you send to Knox? Ite just jumped up and bolted out of the auction room. Bailey couldn’t even stop him.”
I didn’t reply to her because Knox was already calling.
In the photo I’d sent, I was sitting by the fireplace, holding a meticulously crafted wooden box.
The box’s surface was immaculate, clearly regularly polished and maintained.
“Vega, put that down.” Knox’s voice trembled with unmistakable panic and anger,
“What are you planning to do?”
Inside the box were carefully preserved items.
Several yellowed photographs, a bracelet, and an exquisite jade pendant.
The girl in the photos had a radiant smile.
This was Knox’s “one that got away“-his first love who had died from illness years ago.
Suddenly I understood the reason behind all his recent unusual behavior. Bailey bore a striking resemblance to his lost love.
“Vega, don’t touch those things!” Knox’s voice was almost pleading.
“Knox, you know how much I hate people touching my belongings,” I said calmly. “Just like how you’re feeling right now.”
“Now, have Bailey take off that dress immediately. The auction house has restrooms–make her change.”
Silence hung on the line for several seconds.
“Vega, don’t you only wear those dresses once anyway? What’s the big deal if she wears something you don’t even want anymore?”
I laughed softly, though my tone grew colder.
“Knox, my possessions–even when I’m done with them–are not for others to touch.”
“You have two options right now.”
“Either you make Bailey take off that dress before the auction begins, or…”
I shook the box slightly, causing the items inside to make a faint clinking sound.
“You deal with the consequences.”
With that, I ended the call.
