Chapter 61
Chapter 61:
Jocelyn leaned against the server rack. She was exhausted. But seeing Gaston’s name sent a small jolt of energy through her.
I can’t, she typed back. I have errands. I need to buy a gift.
A gift?
For the man who has everything. Don’t wait up.
𝗪𝗲е𝗄𝗅𝘆 𝗋𝘦𝗅e𝖺𝘀е𝘴 𝗼𝗻
She pocketed the phone. She wasn’t going to let Kieran or Vincent win. And she wasn’t going to show up to Gaston empty-handed. She owed him.
The air inside Harry Winston on Fifth Avenue was rarefied, chilled to a perfect sixty-eight degrees and scented with jasmine. It was a temple of silence and wealth.
Jocelyn stood at the counter, looking at a tray of watches. She felt out of place, even in her designer suit. She wasn’t used to spending money like this.
“The Midnight Collection is exceptional,” the sales associate murmured, presenting a platinum timepiece with a navy face. “Understated. Elegant p>
It was $55,000.
Jocelyn swallowed. It was an obscene amount of money. But Gaston had given her millions. He had saved her dignity. He deserved something that wasn’t a prop.
“I’ll take it,” she said.
As she reached for her wallet, the heavy glass doors swung open.
Loud, entitled laughter drifted in.
“I want the ten-carat one, Kieran. The one we saw in the catalogue p>
Jocelyn froze. Her hand hovered over her bag.
Aspen walked in, clinging to Kieran’s arm. Kieran looked like a walking corpse — pale, dark circles under his eyes, moving on autopilot. Aspen, by contrast, was glowing with the thrill of victory.
They stopped when they saw her.
“Well, well,” Aspen said, her voice cutting through the quiet store like a serrated knife. “If it isn’t the little sister. Spending your severance pay p>
Kieran looked at Jocelyn. His eyes tracked from her face to the watch on the counter — a men’s watch. Pain flashed across his face. Raw, naked jealousy.
“Who is that for?” he demanded.
“None of your business,” Jocelyn said, handing her card to the associate.
Aspen snatched the card from the counter before the associate could take it. She held it up. It was the black titanium Centurion card.
“Wow,” Aspen laughed. “Did you steal this? Or did your ‘husband’ give you an allowance p>
“Give it back, Aspen,” Jocelyn said, her voice low.
“Or what?” Aspen sneered. “You’ll throw a drink on me p>
She tossed the card back onto the glass counter. It landed with a sharp clack.
“We’re here for wedding bands,” Aspen announced to the room. “Real ones. For a real marriage p>
“Congratulations,” Jocelyn said. “I hope you signed a prenup, Kieran p>
Aspen’s face twisted. She took a step forward and deliberately bumped into Jocelyn’s shoulder. It wasn’t hard, but Aspen threw herself backward with a dramatic gasp.
“Ow!” Aspen cried, collapsing onto the plush carpet. “She pushed me! Kieran, she pushed me p>
It was pathetic acting, but the store manager — a stiff man in a tight suit — came rushing over. He saw Aspen Schneider, a known socialite and big spender, on the floor. He saw Jocelyn standing over her.
“Madam,” the manager barked at Jocelyn. “Please step away p>