ter
Friday night or Saturday night. His text messages were short and c
The image of Jack in that hotel
ed to go shopping in the Goldenvale District, where all the expensive
e City. She had only been there once before, for their wedding dress shopping. Ja
ace. The saleswomen looked at her with fake smiles. They r
proached. "How lovely to see you. Are
," Elena s
ything was beautiful but what was the point of buying
she heard familiar laughter from the
oice and Victoria
alked into the store with Victoria on his arm. Victoria was wearing a
city," Victoria said loudly. "Th
e most beautiful things,"
Jack talk like that.
to me," Victoria said, tou
. "Mr. Kaelthorn! What an honor! And Miss
d Victoria better tha
. "She's been living in Lysandria for years and does
eamed. "We'll take excelle
hree saleswomen surrounded Victoria. They broug
an gushed, holding up a black evening gown. "It
encouraged. "Pri
price didn't matter. When Elena shopped
out, Elena's breath caught. Victoria looked like a goddess
d softly. His eyes we
spun around playfully.
ke a queen,"
her lip to keep fr
," Jack told t
elthorn," the manager sai
sses," Jack said. "Victoria need
omplete wardrobe. Dresses, shoes, jewelry, handbags. E
dollars worth of purchases. Money Jack had ne
" Victoria said, kissing his cheek
me," Jack said. "You de
bed in the heart. Jack had never s
aid suddenly, "I think
ctly toward Ele
led out sweetly. "Is
to come out. Her face wa
said quietly. "Jac
" Jack asked coldly. He l
se she had picked up. It cost two hundred dollars, bu
iled cruelly. "What a l
ryone could see the difference between Elena'
ully," Jack said dismissivel
actical" made it so
to be careful with mone
ith money? You spend my money every day. At
slapped in public. The othe
whispered. "I did
sked, completely ignoring Elena. "I mad
, you should join us. Oh wait, did Jac
knew Jack hadn't incl
things to do," Jack said c
ed, too hu
weetly. "Well, have a lovely day, Elena. T
he store manager. "Please have everyth
ir house. Elena didn't
th extra twenty. For one the shopping trip and the other one for a ti
Jack asked Victori
a said, taking h
standing alone among the expensive clothes. The sal
hing today, Mrs. Kaelthorn?"
use in her hands. Two hundred dolla
d quietly. "I c
w Jack helping Victoria into his red Lamborghini. Victoria was la
hem drive away to their romantic lunch. She
"Thanks for not making a scene at the store. Jack was so hap
d drove home. The house felt
something horrible. Jack had never enjoyed buying her these clothes. He had never smiled wh
Victoria got joy and romance and generosity
until Dr. Mortaine came back. Thirteen more days
could survive it. Wh
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