第2章

After asking the housekeeper Mercer to compile the surveillance footage from the past three months, Ezra left with Seraphina.

My parents, Claire and Robert Hawthorne, warned Seraphina not to stay out in the cold, then went straight home to start her favorite beef bourguignon.

Last year on my birthday, Mom had made a rare phone call to ask what I wanted to eat.

Delighted by the attention, I timidly asked for lasagna, but she said it was too much trouble and told me to choose something else.

So that was how it worked. For Seraphina, even on an ordinary day, she could have whatever dish she wanted, no matter how complicated.

I followed Ezra and Seraphina as they left and watched them walk into a jewelry store together.

"Didn't you mention a while back that you needed a set of jewelry for formal occasions? I had one custom-made for you."

Seraphina planted an excited kiss on his cheek.

"Ezra, you're the best!"

Ezra didn't pull away. Instead, he ruffled her hair affectionately.

"As long as you like it. Go take a look."

This was a store we used to visit all the time.

The necklace that had marked the start of our relationship, our birthday gifts, even our wedding bands had all come from this store.

"Mr. Thorne, welcome back. We just finished a new jewelry set. Your wife will love it."

The shop owner, Martin, greeted Ezra warmly, but his smile froze when he noticed Seraphina on Ezra's arm.

"And this is...?"

Ezra's tone was flat.

"My wife's sister."

Seraphina tugged at his sleeve, clearly annoyed. Ezra softened his voice to soothe her.

"Come on, you're the most important person in my life. Happy now?"

Only then did Seraphina smile again, turning to Martin.

"That jewelry set you just mentioned. I'd like to see it."

Martin led them to the private showroom with an unreadable expression. I trailed after them along a hallway I had taken countless times.

Inside the private showroom, a set of breathtaking jewelry was arranged in a display case, every piece designed around a moon motif.

Ezra's gaze landed on the moonstone necklace at the center, and for a fleeting instant, something in his expression faltered.

The token of our love had been a moon necklace too, though it wasn't as beautiful as this one.

Back then, he had sketched the design himself and kept pushing the store to rush it so he could put the finished necklace in my hands on my birthday.

I was so moved that I said yes when he asked me out.

He had promised me then that I was his only moon.

Now he had broken that promise.

"Ezra, this set is so gorgeous! I want this one. Please?"

Ezra snapped out of his daze and looked at Seraphina gently.

"You like this set? But the one you chose last time is already finished."

Seraphina clung to his arm and pouted.

"I changed my mind. Ezra, you're not saving this set for my sister, are you?"

Ezra paused, then firmly shook his head.

"Of course not. She doesn't even deserve to be compared to you."

"If you like it, it's yours."

I stood beside them, my eyes burning, but not a single tear fell.

I didn't know if it was because spirits can't cry, or because I had already cried myself dry.

When it was time to pay, Mercer called Ezra.

"Mr. Thorne, I checked the rooftop cameras. Mrs. Thorne isn't up there, and we can't find her anywhere else."

Ezra's brow furrowed, but he smoothed it out the moment Seraphina glanced over.

"Don't worry about her. She probably decided the railing was too much work and went somewhere to slack off."

"Keep watching the feeds. When she comes back, have someone intercept her. Don't let her realize I've left."

I stood beside him, the corners of my mouth twisting.

He knew me better than anyone, yet he was also the one most willing to think the worst of me.

I had endured three months of his nitpicking and every unreasonable demand without a single complaint.

And still, he assumed I was the kind of person who would just run away.

I couldn't help but wonder: if he had been a little less suspicious, if he had noticed something was wrong, could I have been saved?

But there were no ifs.