Chapter 10
Ciel moved in beside me, yanking the detonator out of Stanley’s hand.
His voice was ice. “Get him to the police. Sweep the place for explosives, now.”
I shook my head, unclasped the Tiffany necklace from my neck, and held it out to Stanley.
“No one knows you better than I do. You’d never actually plant a bomb. Take it. From now on, we’re even.”
The second he saw it, all the color drained from his face. “Vivienne… you’re even giving this back?”
It was the necklace he’d given me the day he pulled me out of the slums.
Back then, Stanley had told me, “Vivienne, you’re the purest girl in the world. You’re no less than anyone.”
That necklace had been with me through the longest, ugliest years. Even at the end of my last life, I’d never let it go.
Now, I handed it back–along with every shred of love, hate, and regret we’d ever shared.
They hauled Stanley toward the station. In Northvale, I knew Ciel would see to it he paid.
Before they took him out, he gave me a bitter smile. “Can I say one last thing to you?”
Ciel let him go.
Stanley crouched, scooped up the device, and hit the button.
A sharp click echoed.
No explosion–just like I figured.
What I didn’t see coming? The “detonator” flipping open into a custom ring box.
Inside sat a diamond ring, catching the light–the same one I’d once tossed away.
***
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I didn’t take the ring.
Once Stanley was gone, the wedding picked back up–sort of. Half the guests had already bolted, and the place felt hollow, even
the officiant missing.
Ciel pulled me in, looking guilty. “I’m sorry. I promised you a wedding, and I still let you down.”
His hands trembled like he was still shaking it off.
I laughed, hugging him. “Still scared?”
“I’m scared you still have him in your heart,” he murmured. “You said you know him better than anyone. Even after getting
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Chapter 10
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arrested, he still tried to give you that ring. You weren’t going to marry me at first, and I’ve got a bad temper… people are scared
of me, you-”
I didn’t let him finish. Went up on my toes and kissed him.
His eyes went wide, then he pulled me closer and deepened it.
In the empty church, we traded vows and rings, kissing like there was no tomorrow.
Petals drifted down from above, like we were standing in a dream.
***
By our third year of marriage, I was pregnant.
Word was, Stanley had been in Northvale the whole time.
Every now and then, at events with Ciel, I’d feel a stare I knew too well. But when I turned, all I’d catch was a back disappearing
into the crowd.
At my baby shower, an unmarked gift showed up–a delicate gold locket.
Sebastian asked, “Mrs. Clementine, what should we do with this gift with no name?”
One glance at Ciel across the room and I waved him off. “Get rid of it. Now.”
If that jealous man saw it, there’d be drama.
After that, Stanley vanished for good.
I heard he went back to Southport, walked away from everything, and lived alone the rest of his life. Never married.
Ciel and I grew old together, surrounded by kids and grandkids.
This time, when all was said and done, the past stayed buried.
Stanley Hamilton and I never crossed paths again.
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