The Golden Bracelet
1347 Words
“Emma, where are you right now?”
Emma stared at the name flashing on her phone screen. Davis.
She took a deep breath, forcing her emotions under control before answering. “Out in front of City Hall. About to go home.”
Davis’s voice was sharp, businesslike. “Sophia has a very important show today, and I need you to fill in for her right away. I already told the makeup artist to prepare a mask. No one will be able to tell it is you.”
Emma’s grip on the phone tightened. So this was how it was going to be. He was not calling to apologize, not to explain, not even to check on her after leaving her on their wedding day. No. He was calling because he needed her.
“Davis,” she said slowly. “Did you not say that Sophia was injured? If so, the media should already know.”
“I handled it,” Davis said quickly. “The press believes she will still walk the runway. I told them it is just a minor injury.”
Emma felt a bitter laugh rise in her throat. “So let me get this straight. You want me to wear a mask, go on stage, and let the world believe Sophia is fine? You want me to protect her career?”
“Yes,” Davis said, completely unfazed. “It is a simple job. No one will even know it is you.”
Emma stayed silent for a moment. She could feel her anger boiling beneath the surface, but she forced herself to stay calm.
In the past, she would have done it. She would have swallowed her pride and helped him without thinking twice. But that Emma no longer existed.
“Okay,” she finally said. “Tell me the time and address. I will be there.”
Davis sighed in relief. “Thank you, Emma. You and I are about to get married, and Sophia’s career is on the rise. You can help give her a boost.”
Emma smiled to herself. “Oh, I will give her a boost, alright.”
Davis did not catch the cold amusement in her voice. “Let’s have dinner later,” he added casually. “We can talk.”
Emma ended the call without replying.
Her hands were steady as she put her phone down. For the first time in years, she felt powerful. Davis had no idea what was coming for him.
Emma immediately dialed her manager, Isabel.
“Emma, do not tell me you are actually considering helping that man,” Isabel snapped the second she answered.
“Isabel, I already agreed,” Emma said calmly.
There was a long silence. Then Isabel groaned in frustration. “Are you serious? After everything he has done to you?”
Emma’s voice was steady. “I am not the same fool I was before, Isabel. I am not doing this to help them. I am doing this to destroy them.”
Isabel was quiet for a moment. Then, slowly, she said, “Do you have a plan?”
Emma leaned back against her car, her lips curling into a small smirk. “Isabel, from now on, I am only trusting you. Can you help me with something?”
“Of course,” Isabel said without hesitation.
Emma’s voice dropped lower. “Sophia is desperate to convince the media that she will be at the show today because she does not want anything to ruin her chances of winning the Top Ten Model Awards. Can you pay a visit to the hospital?”
There was a brief pause before Isabel let out a low whistle. “I see what you are doing. You want proof that she was still in the hospital while her so-called ‘appearance’ happened on stage.”
Emma’s eyes gleamed. “That is just the beginning. I have bigger news.”
Isabel leaned forward. “Tell me.”
“Sophia is pregnant,” Emma said. “And the child is Davis’s.”
There was complete silence on the other end.
Then Isabel swore. “That shameless couple. And they have been using you like a puppet this whole time.”
“That ends today,” Emma said coldly. “Can you help me find evidence of her pregnancy?”
Isabel’s voice was firm. “I will make sure you get exactly what you need.”
Emma nodded, feeling calm for the first time in a long time.
Emma arrived at the venue for the show. She was led to Sophia’s dressing room, where Sophia’s assistant, Bryce, was waiting.
“What took you so long?” Bryce snapped the moment she stepped in. “Hurry and get your makeup done!”
Emma ignored his attitude. “What type of show is this today?”
Bryce barely glanced at her as he tossed a gown onto the chair. “Nothing special.”
Emma’s lips curled in amusement.
Liar.
She had already done her research. This was a jewelry show for Bella Amore, the most prestigious French brand in the world.
If Sophia had walked this show, she would have secured the endorsement deal of a lifetime.
Too bad for her.
Bryce pointed at the makeup chair impatiently. “Sit. The makeup artist is ready for you.”
Emma took a slow step forward, tilting her head slightly. “Does Davis know you lied to me?”
Bryce froze. “What?”
“You said this was nothing special,” Emma said smoothly. “But this is a Bella Amore event.”
Bryce swallowed. “I… I just meant it is an easy job. You do not have to worry about messing it up.”
Emma smirked. “Oh, I am not worried at all.”
Bryce still looked nervous, but he quickly recovered. “You are going to be lowered onto the stage in a chair,” he explained. “The main jewelry piece is this bracelet.”
He picked up the delicate gold bracelet, encrusted with diamonds, and clasped it around her wrist.
Emma lifted her arm, letting the diamonds catch the light. It was beautiful.
But it was also too big.
Bryce immediately panicked. “It is too loose! How are you going to wear it?”
Emma gave him a slow smile. “Do you trust me?”
Bryce hesitated. “Right now, I do not have a choice.”
“Then leave it to me,” Emma said.
As she sat in the makeup chair, she could feel the excitement bubbling inside her.
The show was about to begin.
And she was going to give Davis and Sophia the surprise of their lives.
Meanwhile, across the venue, Aiden Brooks sat in a private viewing area, his sharp eyes focused on the stage.
His assistant, Bryce, stood beside him.
“Mr. Brooks,” Bryce said in a hushed voice. “It looks like your wife is about to walk the runway.”
Aiden’s lips curled slightly.
“Interesting,” he murmured.
“Should I stop her?” Bryce asked hesitantly.
Aiden leaned back, watching as the lights dimmed and the music began.
“No,” he said lazily. “Let her put on a show.”
As the classical music filled the venue, Emma took a deep breath.
The chair she sat on began to descend onto the stage, the spotlight illuminating her.
The crowd gasped as she appeared.
The golden bracelet was nowhere to be seen.
Whispers ran through the audience. Stylists and assistants scrambled backstage, searching for the missing jewelry.
Emma ignored them all.
Instead, she took a graceful step forward, lifted her left leg, and struck a stunning pose.
And there, wrapped elegantly around her ankle, was the Crown Star bracelet, sparkling under the stage lights.
The crowd froze.
Then, as realization hit, the entire venue erupted into applause.
Aiden Brooks, watching from his seat, smirked.
“She was born for this,” he murmured.
Emma, standing in the center of the stage, lifted her chin.
- Writer
