The Stolen Heart Chapter 2

That evening, David came home with my favorite strawberry tart from the French bakery downtown.

He pulled me into a hug, burying his face in my neck.

"Darling, staying up late working on designs again? You work too hard. Maybe you should skip the competition this year."

He sounded so genuinely concerned.

But as he kissed my hair, I caught his eyes drifting toward my computer screen.

My heart plummeted.

"Why?" I looked up, feigning innocence, my finger tracing the innovative setting on the digital blueprint. "The 'Solaris' collection has been my baby for six months. You used to say I was radiant as the dawn. This collection is my fifth-anniversary gift to you."

David’s arm tightened around me. "I’m just worried about your health. You've been feeling under the weather lately. Awards don't matter. You matter."

He kissed my forehead. His breath was warm, but beneath his expensive cologne, I caught it—the faint, cloying scent of gardenias.

The same cheap perfume Daisy wore.

Worried about my health? Bullshit.

I gently pushed him away, picking up a spoon. The sweet cream tasted like ash in my mouth.

"Well, if you're that worried... I suppose I don't have to enter under my own name..."

He missed the sarcasm entirely. His eyes lit up with relief.

"Exactly. Once you're rested, we can try for a baby. Evelyn, we've been married five years. It's time we had a family."

He glanced at my screen one last time before heading to the shower.

I stared at the single bite taken out of the tart, a dull ache spreading through my chest.

The next morning, Harper sent another file.

“Daisy has no other backers. Sterling Corp gives her a stipend of $150k a year.”

“But here’s the kicker: She’s registered for the 'A-List Design Awards.' Her studio doesn't have the capital or resources to produce a full high-jewelry set. If something fishy is going on, David will make a move soon.”

I put a tracker on David’s movements.

Three days later, during his lunch break, he went to my private vault where I stored my raw gemstones. Then, he drove straight to Daisy’s shabby studio apartment.

When I checked the vault later, a raw, uncut ruby the size of an infant's fist was gone. Along with a set of rare yellow diamonds.

He wasn't just giving her the ring that was meant for me. He was tearing up the pavement of my road to pave hers.

The last shred of hope in my heart withered and died.

I sent the photos to Harper and told her to prep the lawyers.

Harper was livid. "That little rat. She can't design to save her life—I've seen her portfolio. It's trash compared to yours. Evie, we are going to destroy her at the awards. We’ll make sure she never works in this town again."

A sudden, sickening thought struck me.

I stood up so fast my chair tipped over. I grabbed my keys and raced home.

The villa was silent. I crept toward my home office.

The door was ajar. No one was there.

My computer was cold, but the ergonomic chair was adjusted to a different height. I sat down and booted up the system.

Ruby and yellow diamonds...

Exact matches for the materials needed for the first piece in my "Solaris" collection.

I frowned. Was I being paranoid?

Then my eyes swept across the desk and locked onto something that made my blood freeze.

The silver frame holding a photo of David and me had been knocked face down.

And right there, on the polished mahogany desk where the frame used to stand, was a smudge. A handprint.

Small. Delicate. Fingers curled inward, as if gripping the edge of the desk in... ecstasy.

I stared at the mark. I scrubbed at it with my sleeve, but it felt like it was burned into the wood.

They were here.

On my desk.

Stealing my designs, laughing at me, faking love, and fucking right on top of my work.

My stomach violently rebelled. I stumbled into the en-suite bathroom, collapsing in front of the toilet, heaving until there was nothing left but bitter bile.

I splashed freezing water on my face, staring at the ghost in the mirror, forcing myself to wake up.