Chapter 4 Ungrateful Bastard
"Holy Jesus! Alice, what are you talking about?"
Jason shot up from the edge of the bed, his composure finally cracking. He had never expected his sweet-obedient wife to say something so direct, especially not in that cold, unwavering tone.
"You heard me, Jason. I want the truth."
"No! Uh... why would I do that?!"
The answer came too quickly, almost tripping over itself. The sharpness in Jason's voice was followed by a brief hesitation and Alice caught it immediately. She had known him for years. She knew when he was angry, when he was nervous, and when he was lying. This was all three.
"Then look at me and say it again."
Jason's eyes flickered toward hers, but only for a second. "I don't know what you're trying to imply."
"You know exactly what I'm implying."
Alice pointed at the faint lipstick stain on his collar. Jason face flushed. He quickly covered the mark with his hand, but the movement only made. Alice's suspicion stronger.
"You hit your head and started imagining things, Alice," he said with a tighteny voice. "We need to see a doctor."
"Are you seriously calling me delusional because I hit my head?" Alice let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh. "You've got to be kidding me, J." She reached for the report on the nightstand and shoved it against his chest. "And look at this."
Jason caught the paper instinctively. His eyes dropped to the jeweler's report. GEMSTONE AUTHENTICITY: COUNTERFEIT.
His expression changed. For the first time since he walked through the door, Jason had nothing to say. Alice watched the color drain from his face.
"Still think I'm imagining things?"
Jason's fingers tightened around the report. "Alice..."
"No." She pulled the paper from his hand. "Don't start with another excuse."
"I can explain."
"Then explain."
Jason hesitated, his eyes still fixed on the report. "It was... wait." He looked up sharply. "When did you have the necklace examined? And why?"
Alice frowned. "What?"
"You actually took it to a jeweler?" His voice hardened, almost offended. "You didn't believe me?"
A bitter laugh escaped Alice. "Believe you?"
"Yes." Jason stepped closer. "I gave you that necklace because I wanted to do something special for you, and the first thing you did was have it examined behind my back?"
"Because I wanted to know whether the diamond was real."
"And you couldn't trust me enough to ask?"
Alice stared at him. "You're angry that I checked?"
"Of course I am!" Jason snapped. "That's insulting, Alice."
"Insulting? You lied to me, Jason! Don't twist the facts around!"
"I didn't lie, Alice... I never said it was real." Jason whispered, unapologetically.
Alice's eyes widened. "You told me it was a rare blue diamond and that it cost a fortune!"
"I said it was a beautiful piece," Jason defended himself, his tone becoming increasingly impatient.
"Wh-what?" Alice stared at him, unable to believe what she had just heard. "Are you seriously trying to twist your own words now?"
"I'm not twisting anything." Jason sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Look, darling, I'm sorry, okay? Maybe I couldn't afford the real one right now, but I'll get it for you someday. Things
have been difficult with money lately, but they'll get better. I promise."
"Don't 'darling' me, Jason." Alice's voice trembled with anger. She held up the necklace between them. "You know what's more interesting?"
Jason frowned. "What now?"
"This particular diamond is one of only three in existence. I can remember who owns two of them. And the third?" She stepped closer, her eyes burning. "Vivian."
Jason went silent.
"That Vivian. Your precious Vivian." Alice's voice rose. "So tell me again. Am I imagining things? Am I being paranoid because I hit my head?"
Jason's expression hardened. "Alice, calm down."
"Calm down?" She shoved his shoulder, furious. "Go to hell, Jason!"
Before he could respond, hurried footsteps sounded in the hallway. The bedroom door swung open, revealing Evelyn, Jason's mother, looking irritated and completely out of patience.
"What the hell are you two doing? Get dressed, both of you. We're going to the Black family's banquet. Now."
Alice froze. "The Black family?"
For the first time since the argument began, something other than anger crossed her face. She knew the Black family better than most people in their social circle. Years ago, before she became Jason Rich's wife, Alice had been one of the Black family's scholarship students.
Their foundation had given her the opportunity to study at one of the country's most prestigious universities when she had almost nothing to her name. She had spent years attending their foundation events, meeting their executives, and learning from the people who had built the Black family's empire. More importantly, those connections had become the bridge that helped Jason enter circles he could never have reached on his own. He was too consumed by ambition to question where those opportunities came from. He saw doors opening and simply walked through them, believing his talent alone had opened them.
Alice had never bothered to correct him. But now, after everything that had happened, she could finally see the truth. Jason had spent years believing he built his empire by himself, when in reality, Alice had been quietly building the path beneath his feet. And now Evelyn was ordering her to attend their banquet as if she were merely another accessory to the Rich family. Alice looked at Jason.
"Are we still going?"
Jason seemed relieved that the argument had shifted. "Yes. We should."
Evelyn glanced impatiently at Alice. "And don't embarrass us tonight. The Black family is hosting several important guests."
Alice almost laughed. "Embarrass you?"
Evelyn frowned. "What?"
Alice looked down at the fake necklace still resting in her hand. For years, she had walked into Black family events beside Jason and quietly opened doors for him. She had watched him shake hands with people who barely knew his name, then listened as he took credit for connections she had spent years building. Now she wondered how many of those people would even remember him without her standing beside him.
"Nothing," Alice said. She placed the necklace carefully on the dresser. "I'll get dressed."
Jason watched her suspiciously. "Alice, about earlier can we just forget about it for tonight?"
"Forget?" Alice repeated his world in irritation.
"Yes. We'll talk when we get home."
She almost smiled. That was Jason. Always postponing the truth until it became inconvenient. "Fine," she said.
Jason visibly relaxed. But Alice had already made a different decision. She wasn't going to the Black family's banquet to protect Jason's image tonight. She was going because she needed
answers.
The name Jade Black had appeared in her thoughts the moment Evelyn mentioned the family. She didn't understand why yet. But after what she had seen in that terrifying vision, Alice couldn't ignore the feeling that going to the Black family's banquet might be the first step toward understanding what had happened to her.
She picked up her phone and quietly searched for the name: Jade Black. The former military general. The man rumored to have disappeared from public life after a classified investigation. Alice's pulse quickened. She had known the Black family for years. But somehow, she had never realized that Jade Black might be connected to the nightmare she had just experienced.
"Well, look who's calling."
