Chapter 2
Callum touched his cheek.
His eyes filled with tears, but he did not cry immediately.
Adria knelt in front of him.
“Look at me.”
Callum looked at her.
“Are you hurt?”
He shook his head.
Adria knew he was trying to be brave.
That made her angrier.
She slowly stood.
“You hit my son?”
Bernice lifted the empty ring box.
“The diamond ring is gone.”
Adria glanced at the box.
“What does that have to do with Callum?”
Bernice pointed toward him.
“He was near the table.”
“He's eight.”
“He could have taken it.”
Adria stared at her mother in disbelief.
Around them, guests whispered.
Some looked uncomfortable.
Others looked fascinated.
The bride stood frozen near the head table.
The groom remained beside her, his expression difficult to read.
Adria stepped closer to Bernice.
“You hit an eight-year-old because a ring is missing?”
Bernice raised her chin.
“It was not an ordinary ring.”
Adria's voice became quieter.
“That doesn't make what you did acceptable.”
Bernice ignored her.
“Fifty thousand dollars,” she said.
A murmur moved through the guests.
“That ring is worth fifty thousand dollars.”
Callum looked at the velvet box.
Then he looked at his mother.
Adria put an arm around his shoulders.
“He didn't take it.”
Bernice laughed without humor.
“You always defend him.”
“Because he's my son.”
“And that makes him incapable of stealing?”
Adria's eyes hardened.
“No. It makes me capable of knowing when someone is lying.”
Bernice's expression changed.
For a moment, the two women simply stared at each other.
Then Bernice looked down at Callum.
“You should teach him that stealing has consequences.”
Adria moved directly in front of her son.
“Don't speak to him like that.”
Bernice took one step forward.
Adria did not move.
The ballroom remained silent.
Then Callum quietly whispered,
“Mom…”
Adria looked down.
“What?”
Callum's lips trembled.
“I didn't take it.”
“I know.”
He swallowed.
“I promise.”
Adria hugged him.
May you like
“I believe you.”
But across the ballroom, the groom had begun to look increasingly uneasy.
