Chapter 8

One day, Nathaniel finally came home. He frowned when he saw several suitcases in the living room.

Rosalie was sorting through her books when he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

"Why are you packing all this up?" he asked, a trace of tension in his voice.

Rosalie stiffened but didn't answer or turn around. She simply went on sorting through her books.

Nathaniel turned her around to face him.

"Still mad? Look, Evelyn was wrong to lock you in the morgue, but you kicked her into that freezing lake. She was sick for days afterward. Can't we just put this behind us?

"Besides, it's your birthday. I've planned a party for you at the officers' club. You've always loved parties, haven't you? Come on. Let's go."

Rosalie hadn't had a proper birthday celebration since Jacqueline died.

For a while, Nathaniel had made her feel like someone genuinely cared about her again. But now, even the trouble he'd gone to for her birthday only left her feeling tired and irritated.

She lowered her eyes, her voice flat. "I don't want to go."

"What's got you so upset this time?" Nathaniel asked, still trying to change her mind.

"I even invited a bunch of your friends. They're already there. Come on. Don't keep everyone waiting."

He kept pressing until he finally pulled her along anyway.

The party was lavish. Flowers decorated the room, music filled the air, and tables were laden with food. Gifts were piled high.

Nathaniel had even used his connections to book one of her favorite bands to perform.

But Evelyn was there, too.

She sat in a corner wearing a plain, modest dress, looking as fragile as ever. Every so often, she gave Rosalie a subtly challenging look.

Rosalie ignored her.

A few of her closest friends gathered around, speaking in low, indignant voices.

"Rosie, isn't that Evelyn Cohen? The one Nathaniel's in love with? Seriously, what does he see in her? She's got nothing on you."

"Exactly! Nathaniel must be blind. He's married to you, and he's still hung up on her?"

Rosalie said nothing.

She had so much going for her, but none of it mattered. Nathaniel loved someone else.

Before long, it was time for Rosalie to make a wish and cut the cake. An enormous three-tiered birthday cake was wheeled out, topped with beautifully decorated candles.

As the guests cheered her on, Rosalie closed her eyes and made a wish, though her heart wasn't in it. She'd barely opened her eyes when a loud crash came from nearby, followed by startled cries.

Someone had knocked over the champagne tower.

Rosalie turned toward the commotion and saw Evelyn on the floor, surrounded by several of Rosalie's friends, who looked furious.

Rosalie frowned and started toward them, but Nathaniel reached Evelyn first. He helped her to her feet, then stepped in front of her protectively.

"What happened?" he demanded.

Evelyn's eyes filled with tears.

"They... they accused me of stealing the birthday present they'd given Rosalie. They wanted to search my bag. I said no, but they searched it anyway. And somehow, the gift was in there.

"But I swear I didn't take it! I have no idea how it got there! Then they started calling me names and pushing me around. That's how the champagne tower got knocked over."

"You're lying!" one of Rosalie's friends snapped, her face red with anger.

"We saw you slip it into your bag! We didn't confront you until it fell out. And we'd barely said a word when you threw yourself into the champagne tower! You planned the whole thing!"

Nathaniel cut her off with a sharp glare. "That's enough! Apologize to Evelyn."

Rosalie's friends stared at him in disbelief.

"Are you kidding me? She's the one who stole the gift, and you want us to apologize?"

"I believe Evelyn!" Nathaniel said firmly.

Rosalie's temper flared. She rushed to her friends' defense, putting herself between them and Nathaniel as she met his gaze head-on.

"Well, I believe my friends! They wouldn't accuse someone of stealing without good reason. And they're not apologizing!"

Nathaniel's expression darkened when Rosalie stood up for her friends. He stared at her for a long moment before speaking coldly.

"Evelyn owns jewelry worth far more than that gift. Why would she bother stealing it?"

His words stung.

Nathaniel clearly knew how much Evelyn's jewelry was worth. Rosalie couldn't help wondering how many expensive gifts he'd given her when they were together. Just how close had they been?

No wonder he believed Evelyn without question.

Then Rosalie caught the smug look in Evelyn's eyes, and something clicked.

Maybe keeping the gift had never been Evelyn's real aim. Maybe she'd staged the whole thing just to force Nathaniel to choose sides, knowing he'd take hers over Rosalie's and her friends'.

"Apologize," Nathaniel repeated, his patience wearing thin.

"Not a chance," Rosalie shot back.

That was the last straw. Nathaniel turned to one of his guards and barked an order without even looking at Rosalie.

"Take them away! They caused a disturbance and falsely accused Evelyn of stealing. Give them twenty strokes each with a cane! Then notify their families. If they can't teach their daughters how to behave, I will!"

Rosalie couldn't believe what she'd heard. "Nathaniel, don't you dare!"

But Nathaniel ignored her. He scooped Evelyn into his arms and carried her away. Rosalie shouted after him, but he never once looked back.