her a look. Did this man believe this? I didn’t have one ring on, and I wore tiny hoop earrings that weren’t even gold. They were gold-plated.
After he unlocked the display cases, he pulled out a black tray that showcased an array of jewelry, all mismatched. Some were rings with gemstones, some had diamonds, and some were earrings.
He took out a ring that was a lion’s head made of diamonds. It was ridiculously gaudy and just plain horrid, but it was no doubt a custom piece because who would take a bunch of diamonds and set it into an over-the-top lion’s head?
“How much is that?” Kate asked.
He lifted an eyebrow, his eyes sharp, ready to bargain. “Twenty-three hundred. It’s approximately one and a half total carats.”
Kate pursed her lips. “Do you have anything else that’s a little bit fancier?”
He nodded and then pointed his thumb toward the back of the store. “Yeah, I actually do. I’ll be right back.” Then, he disappeared through the door.
Kate paced the length of the display cases, hands behind her back, eyes scanning the merchandise. Her hand was in her pocket, and from the outline of her jacket, her finger was still very much on the trigger.
I leaned against the glass, wrapping my arms around my center to keep me steady.
When Ben emerged, he had four stacked black trays. He came to the front and set them on the counter, laying them in a vertical row. “Whatever you want, we have it.”
Kate picked up the biggest ring on the tray—a round solitaire stone. “How much is this?” The greed shone bright in her eyes.
“You’re going for the big one, huh?”
She tipped her chin in agreement.
“Twenty-three thousand,” Ben said, his tone smooth. “That’s three carats, internally flawless. The woman who sold it is going through a messy divorce. Her husband was basically the millionaire who cheated on her with his secretary. She took all his money and even sold his ring for more.”
Kate joined Ben in laughter, but I had no energy to laugh.
“I’ll take it,” Kate said, her cold eyes turning to me.
I gaped at her. I’d already given her three thousand, and she was going to get another twenty-three more?
“That’s too much,” I said, my voice firm but wobbly.
“I don’t think it is. It’s a steal, right, Ben?” She flipped to face him. “How much is this really worth?”
He pursed his lips and shrugged. “It’s probably worth thirty. If you can find a buyer. I mean, it’s internally flawless. The woman just wanted to get rid of it.”
“It’s too much,” I said, my voice louder and bordering on hysteria.
This woman was pushing it, and I was about to break.
She turned to face me, both hands on her hips. “Too much? All right then.” She waved her hand, and her voice was hoarse with frustration. “Do you have smaller jewelry that I can buy? I guess this is too much for my daughter’s blood.” She drawled out the words with distinct mockery.
And because my mother was immature and petty and all the things a mother should not be, she had him take out all the small chains and rings and made him charge them separately with separate receipts.
It was an hour later when my mother had a bag of jewelry. I was thoroughly annoyed and spent and sick of this woman.
After I showed the guy my ID, I charged the lot of jewelry. My mother was surveying the jewelry that she’d just bought, and I took the opportunity to pluck a piece of paper and pen from the pile when Ben turned to help my mother wrap up her belongings.
My fingers shook as I made out the words.
Need help.
Please call the cops.
I printed her license plate number in neat, legible letters and numbers underneath my dire plea. Then, I turned to leave with her.
When we were in the parking lot, it hit me.
I was leaving.
For good.
I had nothing on me other than the clothes on my back. I did have some savings, but all my physical belongings were at the Briskens’ house, and there was no way I was going back.
“I guess this is where we say our good-byes and I say thank you.”
Kate had the audacity to smile after that statement, and I wanted to throat-punch her.
“Take care, honey. I’m sure I’ll see you around.” She about-faced and walked toward the car.
And with every step she took away from me, you’d think that relief would flood me. Instead, her words lit me on fire