Chapter 10 - A Presence at the Club
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By the middle of the third week, the annual autumn charity gala at the Charleston Country Club arrived.
It was the premier social event of the season, attended by the city’s political elite, major property developers, and Graham’s entire board of directors. Historically, this was the night where Graham shone brightest, using my polished presence and charm as a subtle force multiplier to solidify his social standing.
As I dressed in our master suite, Graham walked in wearing his tuxedo.
He stood behind me as I sat at the vanity mirror, looking at my reflection. He looked exhausted. Dark shadows hung beneath his eyes, and the lack of his usual morning routine had left him looking slightly sharper, harder, and distinctly frayed around the edges.
He reached into his pocket and set a small velvet box beside my perfume bottles.
"I bought you something for tonight," he said softly.
I opened the box. Inside lay a breathtaking, multi-carat diamond tennis necklace that must have cost fifty thousand dollars.
Ten days ago, I would have turned around, wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed him.
Tonight, I looked at the glittering diamonds, closed the velvet lid with a quiet snap, and set it back on the marble vanity.
"Thank you, Graham," I said, reaching for my simple, heirloom pearl strand instead. "But it doesn't really go with my dress tonight."
Graham’s jaw tightened. "Elena, it’s a diamond necklace. It goes with everything."
"I prefer the pearls," I said, fastening the silver clasp behind my neck. "They belonged to my grandmother. They have history."
Graham stood behind me, his chest heaving slightly as he struggled to process the rejection of a gift that would have brought any other woman to her knees.
"You're wearing dark emerald," he noted, his voice strained. "You always wear black or navy to the gala."
"I felt like wearing emerald," I said, standing up and smoothing the rich silk fabric down my hips.
I turned to face him, looking him up and down with cold, aesthetic evaluation.
May you like
"Your bowtie is slightly crooked, Graham," I mentioned casually, walking past him toward the bedroom door. "You should fix it before we leave."
I didn't reach up to adjust it for him. I left him standing alone in front of the mirror, staring at his own hands as he tried to tie the silk knot himself.
