Chapter 3 - THE TWO RINGS THAT DISAPPEARED
“You took my parents' wedding rings?”
Luca turned toward Celia.
She lifted her chin.
“Martin wasn't comfortable proceeding with those pieces.”
“Good,” Luca said.
“So where are they?”
Celia hesitated.
“I placed them somewhere safe.”
Teresa looked up.
“Could I have them back, please?”
Her voice was so gentle it made my chest hurt.
Celia didn't answer.
Luca stepped closer.
“My mother asked you a question.”
“I heard her.”
“Then answer.”
Celia glanced toward Vanessa.
“I don't have them with me.”
“Where are they?”
“At my apartment.”
Luca nodded toward Daniel.
“Please arrange for someone to collect them.”
Celia immediately shook her head.
“Not tonight.”
The room went silent.
Luca studied her.
“Why not?”
“Because I need to make certain everything is handled properly.”
“My mother owns them.”
“I understand.”
“Then there is nothing to handle.”
Celia pressed her lips together.
Vanessa stared at her.
“Mom, you told me Martin was finishing the wedding bands.”
“I told you he was handling the jewelry.”
“That's not the same thing.”
Celia looked away.
For the first time, Vanessa seemed genuinely confused.
I watched her expression shift from irritation to uncertainty.
Whatever her mother had done, Vanessa hadn't expected this part.
Luca pulled a chair beside Teresa.
“Mom, would you like some water?”
She nodded.
I poured a glass and helped her hold it.
Without the gloves, her fingers were visibly swollen.
Deep red marks remained around several knuckles.
Luca noticed them.
His expression tightened.
“Mrs. Carter, could you bring the cold compresses from the kitchen?”
“Of course, sir.”
Teresa touched his sleeve.
“Sweetheart, please don't make everyone fuss.”
He knelt beside her.
“Mom, I spent this evening watching you apologize for being in pain.”
His voice softened.
“I'm going to fuss a little.”
She gave him a faint smile.
Then her eyes filled again.
“I just want my rings.”
Luca kissed her forehead.
“I know.”
He stood.
“Celia, we're not discussing whether they'll be returned. We're discussing how.”
Celia looked toward Vanessa.
“You have no idea how much money has already been spent on this wedding.”
Luca frowned.
“What does that have to do with my mother's rings?”
Celia hesitated.
Vanessa spoke first.
“Mom, stop.”
But Celia continued.
“The jewelry commission wasn't inexpensive.”
Luca stared at her.
“Then cancel it.”
“There are deposits.”
“I'll deal with any legitimate expenses separately.”
Celia shook her head.
“It's not just the jewelry.”
Vanessa closed her eyes.
“Please.”
Luca turned toward her.
“What is your mother talking about?”
Vanessa didn't answer.
He waited.
Finally, she whispered, “I wanted the wedding to look right.”
“What does that mean?”
She looked at the chandeliers.
“The invitations. The flowers. The reception.”
Her voice trembled.
“Everybody expected something extraordinary.”
Luca frowned.
“I told you I wanted something small.”
“You said that because you could afford anything.”
He stared at her.
Vanessa continued.
“People look at you and assume you've never had to worry about money.”
Luca gave a quiet, humorless laugh.
“My father repaired cars. My mother sewed clothes for neighbors.”
“I know.”
“Then you know exactly where I came from.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“That's different.”
“How?”
“Because now you're Luca Moretti.”
She looked toward Celia.
“And my mother spent months reminding me that people would judge everything I wore, everything I served, and everything my family contributed.”
Celia's expression changed.
“I wanted you to have a beautiful wedding.”
“You wanted people to think we could afford the same things the Morettis could.”
Celia looked wounded.
“Vanessa.”
Her daughter wiped her cheeks.
“You kept saying the wedding had to prove I belonged.”
Luca stared at them both.
“You already belonged when I asked you to marry me.”
Vanessa looked toward him.
For a moment, she seemed almost ready to believe him.
Then she lowered her eyes.
“I didn't feel that way.”
Teresa spoke quietly.
“I never wanted you to feel unwelcome, dear.”
Vanessa looked at her.
Teresa continued.
“I asked you to have dinner with me so many times.”
“I know.”
“You always said you were busy.”
Vanessa swallowed.
“I didn't know what to talk about.”
Teresa smiled sadly.
“You could've told me you were frightened.”
The room fell silent.
Celia stepped closer to her daughter.
“I was only trying to protect you.”
Vanessa pulled away.
“You told me Luca's mother would never accept me unless I looked like I came from money.”
Teresa stared at Celia.
“Oh, my goodness.”
Luca's expression hardened.
“Mrs. Bellini, did you actually tell your daughter that?”
Celia looked embarrassed.
“I said wealthy families can be particular.”
“My mother worked with her hands until she couldn't straighten her fingers.”
“That doesn't change your position now.”
“It should tell you what kind of people we respect.”
Celia had no answer.
I watched Teresa turn the small glass in her hands.
She looked exhausted.
And suddenly I realized the real cruelty of what Vanessa had done.
She'd made Teresa ashamed of the very life that should've connected the two families.
Luca returned to the receipt.
“Celia, what did you receive when you collected the rings?”
“A small velvet case.”
“Did you sign anything?”
“Yes.”
“Was there a separate receipt?”
Celia hesitated.
“I believe so.”
“Where is it?”
“At home.”
Luca looked toward Daniel.
“Please make a note of that.”
Then he turned back.
“What happened to the bracelet, necklace, and locket?”
Vanessa answered.
“Martin kept them for the appraisal.”
“Are they still intact?”
“I believe so.”
Luca looked at her.
“Believing isn't enough.”
Celia suddenly spoke.
“The remaining pieces were supposed to cover the first payment on the custom bands.”
Teresa made a small sound.
Luca turned.
“You used my mother's jewelry as payment?”
Celia looked uncomfortable.
“Only as a credit.”
“Without permission.”
She lowered her eyes.
“Yes.”
Vanessa whispered, “Mom.”
Celia sighed.
“Martin said there wasn't enough gold for the design. I thought adding the other pieces would solve the problem.”
Luca looked toward Vanessa.
“And you went along with that?”
Vanessa began crying.
“I thought I'd give your mother the finished bands to see before the ceremony.”
“She didn't want new bands.”
“I know that now.”
“She told you she didn't want her rings changed.”
Vanessa couldn't answer.
Luca shook his head.
“Knowing afterward isn't the same as listening beforehand.”
Then he looked toward Celia.
“I want the rings returned tomorrow morning.”
She nodded slowly.
But I noticed something.
Her hands were trembling.
Not the way Teresa's hands shook from arthritis.
Celia looked frightened.
And when Luca turned away, she glanced toward her handbag.
She opened it slightly.
Inside was a narrow red leather folder.
I recognized the gold lettering along its edge.
Vale House Jewelry.
“Mrs. Bellini?” I asked.
She looked up sharply.
“Yes?”
“Is that the receipt you mentioned?”
Celia immediately closed her purse.
“What?”
“The one from the jeweler.”
Vanessa turned toward her mother.
“Mom?”
Celia's face tightened.
“It's private.”
Luca approached.
“Not if it concerns my mother's property.”
For several seconds, Celia didn't move.
Then she slowly removed the folder.
Inside were several folded papers.
Luca opened the first.
His expression changed.
Then he looked at Celia.
“You said the rings were at your apartment.”
She swallowed.
“They were.”
He stared at the paper.
“This says they were transferred to another business yesterday afternoon.”
Vanessa stepped forward.
“What business?”
Luca read the name.
“Eastgate Estate Buyers.”
Celia closed her eyes.
May you like
And Teresa whispered the question none of us wanted to ask.
“Why would my wedding rings be sent to an estate buyer?”
