Chapter 17: You Are So Vain
Sable's POV
I spent extra time organizing my patient files and treatment notes at the hospital. Whoever took over my cases would need complete records.
The afternoon passed quickly. By evening, I was walking through the hospital parking lot toward my beat-up car. That's when I saw it.
A glacier-blue Bentley Continental GT sat in my usual parking space like a jewel under the fluorescent lights. The color reminded me of winter sky just before sunrise – ethereal and impossibly beautiful.
Holy shit.
I knew Caelan was planning to send a car – something nice, he'd said. I'd imagined maybe a BMW or Mercedes. But this? This was a quarter-million-dollar vehicle.
"Miss Crawford?"
I turned to find a tall man in an impeccably tailored charcoal suit. His bearing screamed military precision mixed with lethal competence.
"I'm Edward Wells, His Majesty's Beta." He offered a respectful bow. "I'm here to deliver your engagement gift."
He handed me a set of keys.
I stared at the gleaming vehicle. The interior was cream leather with blue accents – luxurious but not ostentatious. Every detail had been carefully considered.
"This is..." I struggled for words.
Edward's expression suddenly shifted, a look of understanding crossing his features as he studied my face. "Ah," he said quietly, as if a puzzle piece had just fallen into place. "So you're His Majesty's doctor."
I blinked. "His what?"
A small smile tugged at Edward's lips. "Nothing important, Miss Crawford. Just... it's good to finally meet you."
"I don't understand."
"You will, in time." He glanced at his watch. "I'm afraid I have urgent matters to attend to. Enjoy your new vehicle, Miss Crawford."
"A token of His Majesty's affection and concern for your safety." Edward's tone was formal but kind. "He wants you protected and comfortable."
Before I could ask what he meant about being Caelan's "doctor," Edward was already walking away.
After Edward left, I sat in the driver's seat for several minutes. Then I pulled over and sent Caelan a text: "Thank you for the most beautiful car I've ever seen."
His response came within minutes: "We're going to be family soon, Sabi. Stop saying thank you for everything."
I glanced in the rearview mirror at my old car.
Goodbye, old friend.
I wasn't coming back for it. Let the hospital tow it if they wanted – that piece of junk belonged to my old life anyway.
I drove through downtown traffic toward Romano's, then pulled into the parking lot in front of the main entrance.
I was reaching for my purse when voices outside caught my attention.
"Oh my God, Darrell, look at this car!" Camila's voice was breathless with excitement. "It's absolutely gorgeous!"
Through the single-direction window, I watched her circle around to the side of the Bentley. Her green eyes sparkled with naked want as she ran her fingers along the polished door panels.
"I've seen these in magazines so many times," she gushed. "This is exactly the kind of car I've always dreamed of owning."
She struck poses against the rear bumper while Darrell took photos with his phone. Her behavior was almost desperate – like she was trying to capture proof of a lifestyle she couldn't actually afford.
Interesting.
I remembered the gossip about Camila's family. Her father had been Beta of Red Canyon Pack before their territory fell into decline. Economic troubles, failed investments, political scandals – the Ross family had lost almost everything over the past few years.
So that's why she came back to Darrell. She needs financial security.
After several more photos, she moved to the driver's side window, leaning close to the glass to use it as a mirror. She primped and adjusted her hair, completely absorbed in her reflection.
That's when I decided to have some fun.
I slowly lowered the window.
Our eyes met.
Her expression shifted from smug satisfaction to pure shock in the span of a heartbeat.
"Having fun?" I asked sweetly.
Camila stumbled backward, nearly tripping over her own heels. "Sable! What are you... how did you..."
Darrell approached with a scowl already forming. "Why are you sitting in someone else's car? Get out before the owner sees you."
"What makes you think it's not mine?"
He barked out a laugh. "Because you can't afford a Bentley, Sable. Stop playing games. Why are you renting a Bentley? I never realized you were this vain before."
"You're right. Three years together, and what do you really know about me?"
Camila recovered quickly, her voice dripping with mock concern. "Sable, sweetie, renting a car just to show off? Bentley rentals aren't exactly cheap, you know."
She turned to Darrell with theatrical confusion. "Darrell, why would you be interested in such a shallow woman?"
Darrell stared at me. "She wasn't like this before. I don't know what's gotten into her lately – pressuring me about marriage, and now renting luxury cars."
"Are you out of your mind?" His voice rose with embarrassment. "Why rent an expensive car just to flaunt it? You're making me look ridiculous."
Camila's expression softened into false sympathy. "She probably feels threatened because you and I are so close. Maybe she thinks renting a fancy car will help her fit into our circle." Her smile turned pitying. "But rental cars are still just rentals. In the end, she'll take a few photos and have to return it. How sad."
I kept my expression perfectly calm while laughing internally.
"You seem to know a lot about renting luxury cars. Speaking from experience?"
Camila's eyes flashed. "Do I need to rent cars? When I was abroad, I drove Lamborghinis worth twice what this Bentley costs."
I let out a soft laugh.
"Actually, Camila, you seemed so eager to take photos earlier. Want me to lend you the car for a proper photoshoot?"
Part of me was tempted to reveal my true identity right here, but this was too entertaining. Let them believe I was nobody. Let them dig themselves deeper. The bigger the fall when they learned the truth.
Camila's expression turned haughty. "Please. I wouldn't be caught dead photographing myself with a rental. You can keep playing pretend."
"Fair enough." I started the engine with a cheerful smile. "Well, goodbye then!"
I gave them a playful wave before pressing the accelerator and driving away, leaving them standing confused in the parking lot.
I'd lost my appetite completely after seeing those two. Instead of dining at Romano's, I drove back to the hotel restaurant.
I'd just returned to my room after dinner when my phone rang. An unfamiliar number appeared on the screen.
"Hello?"
"Sable, it's me." Darrell's voice came through clearly.
I almost hung up immediately. "How did you get this number?"
"I got a new phone. Listen, I'm calling about something important." His voice sounded unusually sincere. "The housekeeper found a necklace under the bed today. I think it's yours."
My hand instinctively went to my throat. Mom's sapphire necklace – the only piece of jewelry she'd left me. In my rush to escape the other night, I must have knocked it off the dresser.