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“Open it,” I urge

She tears away the wrapping paper and lifts the lid of the box “Oh, Katie,” she exclaieous And blue, my favorite color”

“I’”

She hugs first me and then Alex “I love it”

I hand her the second gift “This one is from Alex”

She leaves the sweater on the desk to tear the gift paper off the box When she lifts the lid and unties the strings of the velvet bag, she gasps “My goodness This is gorgeous Look at the detail”

“It’s a Fabergé replica,” Alex says “Unfortunately, it’s not the real thing”

“I love it” She lifts the delicate egg froht “Are those…?”

“The gemstones are real,” Alex says “It’s a collector’s piece, part of a limited edition The valuation certificate is in the box”

“Oh, apes at him “I can’t accept this”

“Now you sound like Katherine,” he says with humor “Of course you can I insist”

“This is beautiful” She puts it back in the velvet bag before carefully returning it to the box “Thank you, Alex”

“It’s given with much pleasure,” he says warmly

“I can’t thank you enough” My ifts, but also for taking such good care of hter”

Alex doesn’t ood care of me too”

So iddiness I feel despicable, like a traitor, but how can I destroy her illusion if she’s doing so well and looking so much better? How can I tell her the truth if it will crush her? No, it’s better that she believes the lies, nothem makes me feel

Patting my cheek, she says, “I should let you catch so me”

“You’re welco up with darker emotions

She turns at the door “The best gift is still having you here”

Not trusting my voice to speak, I blow her a kiss before she shuts the door