I reached toward the source of the scent and asked him on purpose.
"Dominic, did someone come in?"
He grabbed my hand in a panic, his voice tight. "Careful. Don't knock over the bowl."
He used the excuse of setting the bowl down to lift me off his lap.
A faint, breathy whimper brushed past my ear.
I couldn't see what was happening. All I heard was the bathroom door slamming shut.
Water splashed violently inside. Dominic was in there kissing Stephanie.
He kept his voice low, teasing and playful. "You took advantage of the fact that Joanna can't see, walking in here without a stitch on just to seduce me."
The girl panted, her voice dripping with coyness. "Don't pretend you don't like it. Your body certainly doesn't lie."
Through the haze, I heard the crisp jingle of tiny bells.
It felt like someone had carved a piece out of my heart with bare hands. I fumbled my way to the vanity.
I yanked open the drawer and found the small, square box.
But when I opened it, there was nothing inside.
That was the heirloom locket my grandmother had braided for me with her own hands before she died. I had kept it right there.
I ran my fingers over every inch of the box, inside and out. It was gone.