Chapter 3: The Auction and an Encounter with Graham Whitaker

The next morning, Stella came across a new update from Susie Landry on her phone. The post cut into her like a knife.

“Thank you, Mr. Graham Whitaker, for this lovingly prepared breakfast.”

Accompanying the caption was a photo of an elegant meal served on a pristine white plate, exuding intimacy and romance. Stella’s fingers trembled slightly as her heart ached with a numbness she’d grown too familiar with.

She forced a bitter smile. “Wasn’t she in some sort of critical condition just last night? It seems Graham Whitaker’s presence is the cure for all her ailments.”

Shutting off her phone, Stella’s gaze fell to the suitcase by her feet. Last night, she had packed her belongings and waited in the living room for Graham to return and sign the divorce papers. But dawn arrived, and he never came home.

Her thoughts drifted back to the years of their marriage. Not once had Graham risen early to make her breakfast—not even during the worst bouts of morning sickness while carrying Tyler. Love or the lack of it, she thought, never needed grand declarations. The truth always lay in the details.

It was clear now that Graham wasn’t coming back to sign the papers. But Stella knew she had to leave. Taking a deep breath, she stood, gripped the handle of her suitcase, and walked towards the door, ready to bid farewell to the house that had once embodied her youth and love.

Outside, her best friend Yvette waited in her car. The night before, when Stella had called to share her decision to divorce, Yvette had immediately offered to help her move.

Stella had a small apartment from her pre-marriage days, purchased with her own savings after graduating. It had sat unused since her wedding, occasionally cleaned by a hired service. Together, they carried Stella’s luggage into the modest apartment. Yvette surveyed the empty rooms and asked gently, “Are you sure this is what you want?”

Stella nodded firmly. “Yes. It’s over.”

Yvette sighed, her voice heavy with frustration. “You gave up your career for Graham and Tyler. You’ve kept that house running perfectly for years. How could they treat you like this? And Tyler—he’s your son! How could he side with that woman?”

At the mention of Tyler, a pang of hurt shot through Stella’s heart. She moved to the window, watching the bustling city below. “Susie Landry is dying. She only has six months left to live. To them, I’m healthy and can be overlooked. But Susie... she needs their care. They want to give her the best of everything. What can I do?”

“That doesn’t justify how they’ve hurt you!” Yvette exclaimed passionately. “What about Tyler’s custody? Are you going to fight for him?”

“No,” Stella said quietly, shaking her head. “I can’t compete with Graham Whitaker. He has money and power. And Tyler... he’s already chosen Susie. Even if I kept him with me, he wouldn’t be happy. Let them have their perfect little family. I need to let go—for my sake.”

Yvette wanted to argue, but the resolve in Stella’s eyes stopped her. Instead, she hugged her tightly. “Fine. I’ll support you. No matter what happens, I’m here for you.”

Her anger simmering, Yvette muttered, “He’s such a scumbag. Absolutely infuriating.”

Stella managed a small smile as she began unpacking. Yvette joined in, and the two women chatted idly as they worked. Suddenly, Yvette paused, her expression lighting up with a thought.

“Wait! Stella, I almost forgot. A couple of days ago, I saw an auction preview online. There’s a necklace listed that looks just like the one your mother left you.”

Stella froze, her voice trembling with urgency. “What?”

When her mother passed away, she had left Stella a sapphire and diamond necklace. But during Tyler’s birth, it had been misplaced, leaving Stella heartbroken. Graham had once promised to find it, but with Susie’s arrival, the matter had been forgotten, and the necklace remained lost.

“Are you sure?” Stella’s voice quivered. “When is the auction? I have to go!”

“Let me check.” Yvette pulled out her phone, scrolling through her saved posts. “It’s tomorrow afternoon at two, at the international convention center downtown.”

“Thank goodness!” Stella exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with a rare glimmer of hope. “If it really is my mother’s necklace, I have to get it back!”

Yvette nodded. “I’ll go with you.”

---

The following afternoon, Stella and Yvette arrived at the packed convention center just as the auction began. They found seats towards the back of the room. Stella’s eyes stayed glued to the entrance, her heart racing with both anticipation and dread. What if the necklace wasn’t hers? Or worse, what if she couldn’t afford it?

As the auction progressed, item after item was presented, but none caught Stella’s interest. Then, near the end, the staff wheeled out a clear glass display case. Inside was a necklace that sparkled brilliantly under the lights.

Stella’s breath caught. It was her mother’s necklace.

Her heart pounded as her grip tightened on Yvette’s hand, her fingers pale from the pressure. “It’s hers. It’s my mother’s necklace,” she whispered, tears shimmering in her eyes.

Yvette squeezed her hand, smiling. “We’ll get it. Don’t worry.”

But when the starting bid was announced, Stella’s hope faltered.

“Five million dollars. The bidding begins now.”

Stella frowned. Though she had saved diligently over the years, she didn’t have nearly enough to compete at that level. Just as despair began to creep in, a familiar voice echoed through the hall.

“Six million dollars.”

Stella froze, her body stiffening. She knew that voice all too well. Slowly, she raised her head and looked towards the front.

It was Graham Whitaker.