Page 84 of The Exception

“Open it and see,” I said.

She opened the box and gasped. “Wow.”

“They’re French. From the same time period as your château.”

“They…” Her eyes darted to mine. “What?”

“Try them on.”

“I don’t think my ears can handle the weight,” she joked. Though, honestly, they had to be a bit heavy.

Each earring had a huge pear-shaped diamond encircled by smaller diamonds, which hung from a short diamond link that connected to a triangular-shaped stud. They were magnificent, a statement.

“You don’t have to wear them if you don’t want to. Or if they’re not your style.” I’d just wanted to do something nice for her. Surprise her. And I was fucking this all up.

“Are you kidding?” she asked. “They’re incredible.”

“Nate loaned them to me from his private collection.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you serious?” She pushed the box back toward me. “I can’t wear those. They’re his mom’s.”

Nate’s mom had collected rare jewelry. Knox had inherited a few pieces, but Nate had the bulk of it.

“God, I can’t even imagine how much these earrings must be worth,” she said. “Shouldn’t they be in a museum or something?”

“Beautiful objects are meant to be enjoyed,” I said, thinking of the art I’d inherited from my grandfather. “Besides, they’re insured.”

“Yeah, but they’re one of a kind. Irreplaceable.”

“Thingscan be replaced.” I removed one earring from its spot, nestled on velvet. “People can’t. And Nate’s happy for you to enjoy them for the evening.”

“Really?”

“Does that surprise you?”

“Yes. He barely even knows me.”

“You’re my wife, and I won these. For you.”

“What do you mean, won them?” She narrowed her eyes.

“My brothers and I play a weekly game of poker. Jackson joins us when he’s in town. Pierce sometimes too. We typically wager things or experiences, not money. Borrow jewelry or box seats to a big game or the chance to drive one of Jasper’s classic cars.”

“Huh.” She tilted her head, a thoughtful expression on her face.

“What?” I asked.

“It’s just hard for me to imagine having that kind of relationship with my siblings.”

“I’m sorry that hasn’t been your experience with your siblings, but you know mine are more than happy to welcome you to the family.” At least they had been after they’d gotten past their initial shock that night on the yacht.

Since then, they’d invited us to so many dinners and events, I could barely keep up. And Kendall and Emerson had been eager to include Lily in their weekly yoga sessions, among other things. I was grateful to them for welcoming her into the fold.

Lily smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. “I feel bad, though. Knowing that I’m lying to your family.”

“You’re also helping them.”

She scoffed, clearly doubtful.

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