Chapter 2 That Should Have Been MY Necklace!

"David?" His name escaped my lips as I stared at the tall figure who had just entered our store.

"Olivia." He showed a hint of surprise and awkwardness, but quickly regained his composure.

I blinked repeatedly, ensuring I wasn't hallucinating. My brain struggled to process the scene unfolding before me. My husband—the man who had missed our anniversary dinner last night—was now standing beside the irate pregnant woman who had just threatened my job.

The woman's expression shifted instantly from anger to calculated surprise. "Oh, you must be Olivia! I apologize for the earlier confusion. Especially for saying my husband would get you fired—I meant David, of course."

She laughed lightly, touching her collarbone. "I'm Sarah, David's high school girlfriend. Old habits die hard, I guess. Sometimes I still think of him that way, even though he's your husband now."

"Former girlfriend?" I echoed, barely able to form words. My hands felt clammy as I gripped the counter for support.

Sarah continued in a sickeningly sweet voice, "I only recently returned from abroad. Adjusting to Los Angeles alone has been challenging. Thank goodness David's been helping me, otherwise I wouldn't know what to do." She placed a hand on his arm with familiar ease that made my jaw clench.

David cleared his throat and stood straighter, but didn't remove her hand. "Sarah's situation is complicated. She's pregnant, new in town, and practically alone. She needs assistance getting reestablished here." The businesslike explanation was typical David—factual, direct, offering solutions rather than emotions.

"And the baby?" I asked, dreading the answer. My heart hammered so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it.

"The baby isn't mine, Olivia." His response was firm and immediate, his expression serious.

I felt my breathing ease slightly. The knot in my chest loosened, but only barely. I wanted to believe him, but something in Sarah's smug expression made doubt linger.

Then I noticed it—a ruby necklace adorning Sarah's neck. The limited edition piece I'd been eyeing for months. The very one David had hinted would be my anniversary gift.

As if reading my thoughts, Sarah's hand moved to touch the gleaming stones. "Oh, this ruby necklace? David gave it to me. Olivia, you surely don't mind Dave giving his friend a small welcome-home gift, right?" Her eyes gleamed with triumph.

I felt like I'd been punched. Hard. My anniversary gift—on another woman's neck.

After David paid for the damaged dress and settled things with my manager, he turned to me with an apologetic look. "I need to head back to the office now. We'll talk about this tonight at home, I promise."

I simply nodded, trying to suppress my anger.

Seeing this, Sarah walked away with her head held high.

I tried to resume working, but my hands trembled as I arranged the spring collection. My mind kept replaying the scene—the way he stood beside her, the necklace that should have been mine, his apparent comfort with her calling him "Dave," a nickname I'd never heard before.

Had he come home last night? Was the cold, empty bed I woke up to this morning because he'd been with her?

"I need to focus," I whispered to myself, taking deep breaths. But David and Sarah's images kept flashing through my mind.

My phone rang, Jessica's name lighting up the screen. Jessica had been my best friend since college. She worked at a prestigious PR firm specializing in luxury brands and fashion houses—a connection that had proven valuable for both our careers. More importantly, she was the only person who always told me the truth, no matter how painful.

"Hey, where are you?" she asked immediately, her voice sharp with urgency.

"Organizing the spring collection after dealing with an impossible customer." I moved to a quiet corner of the store. "What's wrong? You sound off."

There was a brief pause before Jessica continued, "Olivia, I just saw David with a pregnant woman at the mall. They were arm in arm, looking... intimate. I was heading to a client meeting when I spotted them."

My blood ran cold. "Are you sure it was David?" My voice dropped to a whisper.

"Absolutely. The pregnant woman was practically clinging to him, and he was holding her close. She seemed... familiar with him."

"That would be Sarah, his high school girlfriend," I said, surprised by how steady my voice sounded despite the churning in my stomach. "She just showed up at the store wearing what was supposed to be my anniversary gift."

"What?" Jessica's outrage was immediate. "That's completely unacceptable! What did David say?"

"He just stood there, letting her flaunt it." I glanced around to make sure no colleagues were nearby. "She tore an expensive dress, then called David to fix it."

"Olivia, whatever history they have, this isn't right," Jessica said firmly.

"I know, Jess. I know."

After promising to call her later with updates, I hung up and immediately dialed David's number, my fingers trembling with anger.

"David, where are you right now?" I demanded, not bothering with pleasantries. "Jessica just saw you and Sarah getting cozy at the mall!"

"That's a misunderstanding," he replied, his tone measured and calm. "Sarah nearly fell. I was simply steadying her."

"That's your explanation? Why are you even shopping with her? Shouldn't you be working?" My voice rose despite my efforts to control it.

"She needed some essentials. I'm just helping her out. Sweetheart, you know her situation is delicate."

"Right," I responded, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Delicate enough for you to give her a ruby necklace, escort her shopping, and make you two look like a couple."

"Olivia, we'll talk when we get home tonight, okay? I promise I'll explain everything." His voice softened in that way that usually melted my resolve.

"Fine. We'll talk at home." I hung up, struggling to hold back tears. At least wait until after work to fall apart, I told myself, straightening my shoulders.

Hours later, I pulled into our Beverly Hills driveway, mentally rehearsing what I'd say to David. The speech I'd practiced focused on boundaries, respect, and why giving my anniversary gift to another woman was unacceptable under any circumstances.

But nothing prepared me for what awaited inside.

Sarah sat comfortably with David and his mom on our sofa—my sofa—looking perfectly at home.