C18, PT. 1

She didn’t recognize the woman in the mirror, but that wasn’t surprising considering the hours that went into creating the best version of herself. Sarai hadn’t missed a thing. She spent most of her day at the spa and salon in their building where she got a facial, wax, manicure, pedicure, hair, and makeup done.

When she returned to the penthouse, she found a small crowd waiting for her. Each group was there to offer an accessory—shoes, clutches, and jewelry that had been pre-selected to match the dress that had yet to arrive. All she had to do was choose what she liked best.

Everyone deferred to her choices except the jewelry consultant. When she selected a dazzling pair of chandelier earrings and declined any other pieces, the consultant protested.

“Your husband was clear that he wanted you to have a set, not just one piece.”

She frowned. “I haven’t seen the dress yet, but I was told it has a high neckline and long sleeves. I think the earrings are enough.”

The consultant gave a dismissive flick of her wrist. “You can still wear a statement piece with a high neckline. How about these light blue diamonds? This piece took nine months to source and match each individual stone. Isn’t it gorgeous?”

“It is.” And she was sure the price tag that went with it was staggering. “But I think it’s a bit much. I mean…” She flashed her wedding ring. “Between this and the earrings, no one would say I’m lacking, and I’m going for understated elegance. Not…”

The jewelry consultant gave her a steady look from under long lash extensions. “It’s impossible to be anything but elegant in diamonds. There’s no such thing as wearing too many.”

She knew everyone would be decked in their finest jewels, but she wasn’t trying to match them. She wanted to glide under the radar, not turn into a human disco ball or acquire more jewelry from Roth that she would never use again with these memories attached to them. Unfortunately, the consultant wasn’t easily discouraged and insisted she wear necklaces that looked like they belonged on royals, not her. Their polite bickering ended when she received a text from Roth.

You’re arguing with the jewelry consultant?

She read the message and caught the consultant pocketing her phone. Apparently, they had been told to contact him if she resisted. If Roth wanted her to look gaudy, there was nothing she could do about it. It would draw more attention to them, but apparently that’s what he was going for, so she would oblige like the obedient fucking wife she was.

 She accepted the set of blue diamonds that the jewelry consultant insisted upon and was relieved when everyone filed out. Mo and Johan had been present during the whole debacle and didn’t say a word when she stalked to the kitchen to scarf down a salad while she waited for the dress to arrive. She hoped Daiyu had accidentally ruined it, and she wouldn’t be able to go. It was just her luck that the dress arrived twenty minutes before Roth was supposed to pick her up.

She fluffed her hair, which had been styled in loose curls that brushed her shoulders. Her dramatic makeup—smoky eyes, show-stopping red lip, and fake lashes that made her eyes pop were utter perfection. She looked the part. Polished, glamorous. Under different circumstances, she would have been thrilled to attend such a prestigious event. Instead, her stomach was as tight as a fist and she felt slightly ill.

She stepped back to take in the full effect and had to admit that if she planned this herself, she couldn’t have done a better job. The blue midnight gown draped her impeccably. How Daiyu managed to flatter her figure so effortlessly, she would never know. It was convenient knowing a talented fashion designer who could whip out a dress for any occasion with so little warning. But it came at a cost. The card attached to the garment bag reminded her that she needed to stop by the shop for a fitting ASAP.

On the hanger, the dress looked surprisingly demure with the promised high neckline and long sleeves, but she should have known that when it came to Daiyu, nothing was what it seemed. From the front, she was covered from neck to toe aside from a tasteful slit. But from the back…

She did a half turn and cringed at the open back and low cut of the gown. What the hell was Daiyu thinking? This was the Trentham Ball, not a Hollywood red carpet event. She had no idea what the dress code was, but she was sure this was borderline indecent. She hoped to reenter society as a class act, not reinforce her bad reputation by wearing something shocking.

She glanced at the time and cursed as she reached for the stack of jewelry boxes. She put on the earrings first and, despite her worry, paused to admire the sparkle. This was more than enough, but Roth wanted her lit up like a beacon to find her in the crush, so… The stunning light blue diamond necklace shimmered against the dark fabric of her gown. The contrast was more dramatic than if the diamonds had lain against her bare skin.

She had to use her teeth to do up the clasp on the spectacular emerald cut diamond bracelet. She swiped her lipstick from her wrist before she slid the blinding three layered diamond ring on her pointer finger. She started to take off her mother’s ruby ring and hesitated. The ring had consoled her throughout the day, calming her when her emotions threatened to spiral out of control. She turned the ruby heart down so all anyone would see was a thin gold band that no one would notice with all the other pieces she was wearing. And the diamond anklet was a nice touch, highlighting the leg that peeked out of the slit with every step she took. She posed in front of the mirror. From the front, she looked like a lady. She just wished the back matched. Fuck.

**This is a raw draft of Bitter Confessions. Please do not share or distribute.

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