Chapter 9
The engagement ended three days later.
Not because of Sabine.
Because of Lisette.
More precisely, because of what Octavia had been willing to do to her.
We sat alone.
Octavia wore no ring.
She had removed it before I arrived.
“Do you still love me?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes filled.
That surprised her.
It shouldn’t have.
Love does not evaporate on moral schedule.
“Then why can’t we fix this?”
“We might fix something.”
I paused.
“Not a wedding.”
She looked away.
I continued.
“You believed you needed my mother’s bracelet because you were afraid you wouldn’t matter here.”
“Yes.”
“That I can understand.”
She looked hopeful.
I stopped that quickly.
“You put it on Lisette’s wrist so seventy people would believe she robbed the dead.”
Hope vanished.
“That I cannot build a marriage on.”
Octavia cried.
No performance.
Real.
“I panicked.”
“You planned the accusation.”
Silence.
“You threatened her before the reception.”
Silence.
“You knew about her brother.”
Her face folded.
There.
Planning.
Not panic.
Fear may explain why someone reaches for control.
It does not erase the steps after.
She handed me the engagement ring.
I took it.
No throwing.
No spectacle.
Our guests had already had enough entertainment at Lisette’s expense.
May you like
The engagement ended privately.
That mattered too.
