Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“It’s the one with a massive blue sapphire at the center,” Jimena clarified, her memory painting a vivid image of the gem’s breathtaking beauty. Indeed, she hadn’t forgotten the necklace. She remembered the day she first laid eyes on it.
One fateful afternoon, while Casey lay still under the spell of acupuncture, Jimena had dared to lift the velvet box’s lid. The necklace inside had called to her, its large sapphire flanked by diamonds, each stone meticulously set to catch even the dimmest light.
Just one glance and she knew it was definitely worth hundreds of millions. It was unlike any she had ever seen, massive and impeccably pure.
Slipping the chain around her neck, Jimena caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. The transformation was immediate. The ordinarily plain features of her face were bathed in an aristocratic glow, the sapphire’s deep blue making her eyes shine with an uncharacteristic brilliance. No need for fancy attire. The necklace alone vaulted her from her mundane existence into a vision of nobility.
Jimena had always thought that climbing the social ladder would be an arduous journey, yet here she discovered it could be as simple as possessing the right piece of jewelry.
With the glimmer of one particular necklace, she could dazzle anyone, its brilliance enough to make her a beacon in any high society gathering.
As Jimena described the necklace, a flicker of recognition sparked in Casey’s memory. So, it was the blue diamond that shimmered Like a piece of the night sky captured in glass.
“Jimena, whatever I offer you will be yours. And if it falls short, I’m prepared to write a check for a hundred million,” Casey said, her voice earnest with promise.
Jewelry had never held much appeal for Casey, mundane as it was to her. She knew the stakes were high for Jimena, who was risking far more than she had to gain by helping her. She was willing to pay Jimena more, much more. Yet, the gnawing fear that Davey might discover the necklace’s absence haunted her. The consequences for Jimena could be dire.
Jimena’s face contorted into a mask of displeasure. “If you’re so attached to that necklace, forget I mentioned anything. I’m not about to stick my neck out for you,” she snapped, bitterness lacing her tone.
Jimena hefted her medical kit, the clasp clicking shut with finality, and turned to leave. Before leaving, she fired a parting shot over her shoulder. “Remember, if Davey catches a whiff of anything about this, I’ll make sure he knows everything you’ve plotted. Including today’s little proposition.”
Jimena’s facade of loyalty crumbled away, revealing her true intentions. She had gleaned enough from their conversation to ensure her own safety, no need for pretenses any longer.
Yet, the allure of the necklace was undeniable. Jimena lingered at the doorway, dragging her feet slightly, secretly hoping Casey would call her back.
And Casey did. “Jimena…”
Jimena paused, half-turning, her expression an unreadable mask. “It’s not that I’m unwilling,” Casey hurried to explain, her words tumbling out. “I’m just terrified of Davey discovering the absence. It could put you in grave danger.”
Jimena scoffed. “With the horde of jewels you have, do you really think he’d notice just one missing?”
Jimena’s impatience was palpable as she stood there, arms crossed, her eyes boring into Casey. “So, what’s it going to be? Yes or no? If not, I might just get jittery around Davey. And who knows what I might blurt out?”
It was a thinly veiled threat, leaving Casey pale-faced and trembling.
In all these years, Casey had barely brushed against the world, save for fleeting encounters. Apart from a silent servant who tidied her room, her most frequent interaction was with Jimena.
At first glance, Jimena seemed gentle and reserved. But beneath that facade lurked a skillful switcher of personas. Casey had always presumed Jimena to be a harmless soul and never imagined Jimena capable of such swift deceit.
If it were merely a botched negotiation, Casey could handle it. She’d find another route, another plan. Even with a mere 50-50 chance of Davey uncovering the truth, she couldn’t risk Jimena’s safety over a trinket. Yet, here was Jimena, threatening her with a brazen “take it or leave it” attitude.
Gritting her teeth, Casey relented. “Fine, I’ll give it to you.”
Jimena’s face lit up with glee, morphing once more, this time into a facade of gratitude. “Oh, you’re too kind. Since it gathers dust in your possession, why not let me safeguard it for a while?”
A knot twisted in Casey’s gut as she watched Jimena’s delighted expression.
Jimena prodded impatiently, “Madam, the safe. Quickly now.”
The treasures were ensconced within a secure glass cabinet, protected by iris scans and passwords.
Casey had inadvertently left it unlocked once before, allowing Jimena to sneak a peek and even try on the necklace.
The Glynn family’s security was formidable. Without the special anti metal detection bag, removing the necklace undetected would be nearly impossible. And without Casey’s cooperation, it would surely lead to their discovery. Otherwise, Jimena wouldn’t have waited so long to make her move.
As Casey hesitated before the safe, Jimena suddenly grabbed her and forcefully pressed her face against the cabinet, demanding she open it with her iris verification.
“Enter the code,” Jimena urged urgently. “Davey will return any minute, and we’ll both be in hot water if he catches us.”
Under Jimena’s relentless pressure, Casey relented, opening the safe at last.
Before Casey could react, Jimena seized the opportunity, shoving her aside and snatching the priceless blue diamond necklace.
The radiant blue sapphire sparkled enticingly in the light, captivating Jimena’s gaze. It was simply exquisite! At long last, it would be hers.
Casey made one last attempt to reason with Jimena. “It’s best if you don’t take it now. Deliver the embroidery first, then come back for it. That way, you won’t have to return here. And if I manage to escape, you can find me in Ambrosia.”
Casey was not refusing Jimena outright. Instead, she was suggesting a safer plan. The implication was clear. Retrieving the item later would allow Jimena to either flee with her family or vanish into hiding, significantly diminishing any associated risks.
However, Jimena, with a flicker of suspicion in her eyes, slipped the necklace into the folds of her clothing. “Madam, going back on your word isn’t very nice. I promised to help you deliver it, and that’s exactly what I intend to do. Make sure you have the money ready for when this necklace changes hands.”
Casey’s lips parted, but no words came out. In truth, if she did escape, the necklace, which belonged to Davey, held no value for her.
Not only was she prepared to pay Jimena, but she also had no intention of reclaiming the necklace. Yet, understanding Jimena’s apprehension, she chose silence over explanation, fearing further words might only breed more misunderstanding.
Seeing the uncertainty flicker in Casey’s eyes, Jimena stepped closer, fearing she’d renege. Jimena’s voice was steady, yet there was an unmistakable edge of urgency. “You need to cover for me so I can leave now.”
Confusion clouded Casey’s face, but she nodded, ready to assist.
“Just tell me what to do.”
“When the door opens, call the butler downstairs and distract him. Make sure he doesn’t inspect me. That’s all I ask.”
“Understood.”
Jimena pressed the bell, signaling her readiness to depart.
Davey, ever suspicious, had instituted rigorous protocols at his estate, demanding checks both upon entry and exit, all to prevent smuggling.
Previously, a minor transgression involving some medicine concealed within an acupuncture kit had gone undetected, thanks to its insignificance.
Now, with the high-stakes game of the necklace, Jimena couldn’t afford any slip-ups. She had meticulously prepared, wearing an anti-detection bra designed to thwart any scanner, an ingenious countermeasure she’d devised after missing a previous chance with the necklace.
Though equipped to evade detection, bypassing the check altogether was her preferred option.
As the butler swung the door open, Jimena offered him a shy, yet grateful smile. “Thank you.”
Jimena possessed a disarmingly sweet charm, a quality that effortlessly disarmed those around her. Her unassuming appearance only accentuated this effect.
Casey felt as though she had just awoken from a dream, bewildered by the stark contrast between the Jimena she had envisioned and the one standing before her now, seemingly influenced by some spell.
Even the butler found himself drawn to the unpretentious Jimena.
Unlike others who attempted to sway him with money or extravagant gifts, useless to a man in his position, it was her small, genuine tokens of appreciation that resonated deeply. Sincerity, he believed, was truly priceless.
Jimena had immersed herself in the world of the affluent. She had recognized by now that to those accustomed to wealth, heartfelt intentions spoke louder than any amount of money.
Noticing Casey’s hesitation, Jimena subtly emitted a soft, pained sound, a gentle nudge to remind Casey of their plan.
Meanwhile, the butler meticulously manned the security at the estate, deploying detection devices with a vigilance that bordered on paranoia. Every guest was subject to a rigorous double-check, a technological scan followed by a manual search.
“Are you alright, Jimena?” the butler inquired, his voice laced with genuine concern.
Realizing it was her cue, Casey knew she had to act swiftly to ensure Jimena’s escape. “Aldwin, could you come here for a moment?”
Distracted, the butler set aside the detector and descended the stairs, his footsteps echoing the urgency of Casey’s voice.
With practiced ease, Jimena slipped away unnoticed, bypassing the security gate without a second glance.
Once outside, Jimena slipped into the Glyn family’s car and directed the driver to head to the clinic.
As the vehicle pulled away, a thrill surged through Jimena, barely contained within the confines of the moving car. If only she weren’t still so exposed, she would have reveled in the victory of securing the necklace, a treasure now tantalizingly close, yet still just out of reach.
In the car, Jimena couldn’t contain her gleeful smile, even with her eyes closed. It was as if every joyful thought she’d ever had was bursting out at once. This bubbling excitement didn’t escape the notice of the man seated in the shadowy vehicle beside her.
Davey, who had just returned home, found himself alone in the car after the driver departed, granting him a moment of reprieve to rest his weary eyes.
To any casual observer, the car might have seemed deserted.
But just as Davey was about to step out, he caught sight of Jimena slipping into the car, her features contorted with a greedy, covetous grin.
Jimena was usually so demure, never letting a smile escape her lips, especially not in his manor. But here she was, barely at the gates, grinning like a cat with a bowl of cream.
Davey was a shrewd judge of character, and he could tell at a glance that this was no ordinary smile. It was a smile fueled by something darker, something more sinister than simple happiness. It was a stark contrast to the typically reserved expression of the family doctor.
Watching the car disappear from view, Davey made a call. “Follow Jimena’s vehicle and report back to me.”
It had been a long day for Davey, dealing with various matters that had left him in a foul mood.
On top of that, he’d received a report about an incident at one of his overseas properties.
According to the guards, the culprit had been nothing more than a drunken vagrant who, upon stumbling one of his lavish manors, had attempted to gain entry through a window in search of shelter. Once inside, he had roamed around, marveling at the opulence surrounding him.
Upon discovery, the guards shown the drunken vagrant no mercy. They dealt with him swiftly, without alerting the authorities, as per Davey’s instructions. They gave the drunken vagrant a good beating and tossed him into the river, leaving no trace of his intrusion.
It was difficult for the guards to ascertain the drunken vagrant’s true intentions. On the surface, it appeared to be a straightforward case of drunkenness and vagrancy. Multiple eyewitnesses even corroborated that he was getting drunk at the park.
However, Davey couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this incident than met the eye. Something about the drunken vagrant’s actions didn’t quite add up.
Plus, how could a mere drunken vagrant truly outmaneuver six of his carefully selected, highly trained elite guards? And not only breach the perimeter but wander about unchecked for who knew how long?