Chapter 76

• The clinking of forks and the low hum of conversation enveloped the elegant Italian restaurant as Damien and Charlotte sat opposite each other, with Esther seated at the head of the table. Dim lights created a warm ambiance, but the air between the three was fraught with an intensity that seemed to pulse unspoken worries.
• Esther beamed at them, showcasing a façade of delight that clashed sharply with Charlotte’s apprehension. The necklace sat delicately in front of Charlotte, the shimmering gems reflecting the candlelight in a dance of colors. Esther reached out, her fingers brushing over the glistening surface as her smile widened.
• “Oh, Charlotte! It’s just breathtaking!” Esther exclaimed, her voice bright and laced with false innocence. “You truly have outdone yourself. Look at how the light catches these stones! They’re simply divine.”