Revelation by Katie Klein Page B

"I just assumed. I mean, I'm not really a jewelry person. It was blue and I thought. . . ."
    "Look at the cut and the facets. A topaz would never sparkle this much."
    "And Regina knows her diamonds," Gretchen says.
    Gretchen is the ponytail, Regina the brunette.
    "Learned that lesson the hard way," Regina replies, eyes rolling.
    I pluck my hand away as the conversation shifts, studying the ring while they move on to pathetic first husbands.
    A diamond?
    He bought me a diamond anyway? That lying, sneaky. . . .
    Blood simmers in my veins.
    I'll kill him. I am literally going to slay him. Of all the. . . . I can't believe he bought me a diamond engagement ring and he didn't tell me! A diamond ring for a fake wedding ? I stifle a venomous laugh. He didn't tell me because he knew I'd kill him.
    I scrutinize the stone, twisting it this way then that, light penetrating from every angle.
    It is awfully shiny.
    A blue diamond.
    I should've known he'd pull something stupid like this.
     
    *          *          *
     
    I down the last of the punch in a single gulp. Sugar courses through my bloodstream, heart drumming double time. I don't even know what glass I'm on. And the time. God. Every second ticking by, each minute seeping past. I set the empty cup on the dining room table, fold my arms, watch the driveway.
    "Still no sign of him?" Kitty asks, easing beside me.
    "Nope."
    "Well, everyone's getting restless. We'll have to open gifts without him," she says, fingers brushing my hair, fixing my bangs.
    I follow her to the formal living room, ignoring the oversized clock hanging above the mantel, hands frowning, seconds ticking away, unrelenting confirmation that Carter is late. Late. Late. Late.
    Gifts are passed. Someone keeps track of what I'm getting, scribbling names, items on a notepad.
    From the Desk of Kitty Fleming.  
    Time passes.
    A coffee maker.
    Monogrammed wine glasses.
    Silver picture frame.
    More time passes.
    Gift cards.
    Monogrammed luggage.
    Silver picture frame.
    Our names and initials are emblazoned on everything.
    More time passes.
    When the doorbell rings my heart soars, until I remember this is Carter's house, and there is no way he would ever ring the bell. Not when he has a key. Not when we're expecting him. And deep inside I know, at that moment, something happened. Something unexpected and awful and altogether nightmarish. I shove gifts aside, stumble over designer shoes and piles of white wrapping paper and satin bows. Kitty Fleming's heels click across marble tiles, and, for a moment, I'm transported to this very foyer, both a thousand hours and barely a breath ago, twirling in a borrowed blue dress.
    I reach her by the time she pulls the door open, and find myself staring at two uniformed police officers.
    "Mrs. Fleming?" one asks.
    "Yes?"
    We both answer.
     

 
     
     
    S EVENTEEN
     
     
     
    Seth's dark eyes catch mine, steadfast and unflinching.
    "You're here," I murmur. "You're real." My thumb skims his jaw line. His cheek. The arch of his brow. His eyes close, head tilting into my hand. "I thought I dreamed you."
    He jerks back, pulling away from me, as if my touch—the words—somehow burned him. The gesture wounds, shredding me from the inside out. After all this time, I don't want to—I can't be separated from him. I can't handle distance between us.
    "What is it?" I sweep strands of hair fallen into his eyes. His fingers intertwine with mine. They're strong, warm, and they send tingles racing through my body.
    "Let it go," he begs.
    "What?" I ask, not understanding.
    "Let me go."
    For a moment I doubt the words, convinced I misheard.
    Let him go?
    "I—I can't. I've lost everything," I stutter, heart locking with grief. "You're fallen because of me. I have to get you back. They promised ."
    His eyes search mine, defeated. "You can't win. You won't make it out alive. They'll never let it happen."
    "Then we'll be together again!" A half-crazed, delirious, laughter bubbles