The Ring That Sank, The Love That Drowned Chapter 04
At the Vaughn family dinner, Vivian sat to Spencer’s right.
I was seated at the far end of the long table. There were no flowers or place card in front of me, and even my place setting was missing the dessert fork everyone else had.
When the staff served the soup, they brought Vivian a fresh, steaming bowl first. By the time they reached me, my soup was already cold.
The Vaughn matriarch sat at the head of the table, her eyes lowered to her teacup.
“Natalie, the Vaughns are giving you a chance to put last night behind us because our families have known each other for years. You need to know your place.”
Vivian spoke softly. “Mrs. Vaughn, Natalie’s upset. Please don’t be too hard on her.”
The Vaughn matriarch smiled.
“At least Vivian knows how to behave.”
The butler brought out a black velvet box.
Inside was an emerald brooch reserved for women who married into the Vaughn family.
In my previous life, I had worn it for exactly one night.
The next day, Spencer took it from me so Vivian could wear it for a magazine cover shoot.
This time, the Vaughn matriarch looked directly at Vivian.
“You need a statement piece for next month’s charity gala. Wear this.”
Vivian immediately shook her head.
“I couldn’t. This is meant for the future Mrs. Vaughn.”
Spencer said, “It suits you.”
Those few words were enough to make everyone around the table smile.
I held my glass without saying anything.
Spencer finally looked at me.
“She’s only borrowing it. Don’t start sulking over it.”
Vivian’s eyes reddened.
“If Natalie minds, I don’t have to wear it.”
Spencer’s expression hardened.
“She doesn’t mind.”
The butler pinned the brooch to Vivian’s dress.
The emerald flashed coldly under the lights, like the last piece of dignity they had stripped away from me.
After dinner, the Vaughn matriarch had the family’s private chapel opened.
“We’re settling this tonight. Natalie, light a memorial candle for generations of the Vaughn family and apologize in front of everyone. Do that, and we’ll let the fellowship matter go.”
I looked at Spencer.
He avoided my eyes.
Vivian said softly, “Natalie, it’s one apology. It won’t kill you.”
Spencer lowered his voice.
“Just apologize and this is over. Swallow your pride once, and the Vaughns will take care of you after that.”
The Vaughn matriarch set down her teacup.
“Kneel tonight, and when you marry into this family, you’ll remember how things are done here.”
I almost laughed.
The year of the fellowship, Vivian had withdrawn from the interview herself, then turned around and claimed I had stolen her only chance.
I had tried to explain.
Spencer said only guilty people were so desperate to defend themselves.
He froze me out for ten years because of it.
And now they didn’t even care about the truth.
They only wanted me on my knees.
The chapel was heavy with the smell of candle wax and smoke.
The stone floor was cold, and when my knees touched the padded kneeler, the chill still seeped deep into my bones.
Candlelight stretched the Vaughns’ shadows across me until they felt like verdicts that had already been decided.
Behind me came the satisfied murmurs of their relatives.
Even Spencer seemed to breathe easier.
Everyone thought I had finally given in.
Instead, I reached inside my coat and pulled out the old manila envelope.
The Vaughn matriarch’s expression changed instantly.
Of course she recognized it.
The Vaughns and the Sinclairs each held an original copy of the engagement agreement. The Sinclair copy contained the clause that allowed us to pull our $400 million from the project.
Spencer crossed the room in a few quick strides.
“Natalie, what is that?”
I lit the memorial candle and held one corner of the agreement to the flame.
The paper caught with a sudden flare.
Spencer reached for it, but all he managed to grab was half a charred page.
He looked down.
My name was still visible on what remained.
Natalie Sinclair.
Below it was a clause already half-consumed by fire.
[If Natalie Sinclair terminates the engagement in writing, Sinclair Group may unilaterally withdraw from the $400 million project, and Vaughn Group may not seek damages for breach.]