Celeste’s POVI hadn’t slept.Ryan hadn’t either.But as the final click of the stone into its setting echoed through the quiet workshop, a tremor went through me.It was relief, exhaustion, and pride, all tangled together.“It’s done,” I whispered.Ryan leaned over the bench, rubbing the back of his neck.“It’s beautiful, Cel.” His voice was rough from the sleepless night. “They can’t take this from us.”I looked at him, the stubble darkening his jaw, the tired jade of his eyes, the way he kept his hand near the piece as if protecting it.“We did it,” I said.His mouth lifted in a soft, worn-out smile. “Yeah. We did.”By the time we reached the International Jewelry Association headquarters, my nerves were humming.The Paraiba piece rested in Ryan’s hands like something sacred.Our guard walked three steps behind us, bandaged, still limping, refusing to let us come alone.I squeezed Ryan’s arm. “We’ll walk this inside, submit it, then breathe.”“Breathing sounds nice,” he muttered.In
Last Updated : 2025-11-21 Read more