“You pawned them?” Janice narrowed her eyes.
“I tried but when the jeweler examined them he said they were worthless.”
“That’s a lie. I know for a fact that engagement ring is worth at least twenty-thousand dollars.” Janice glared. “I told Chris to get that back from you in the divorce.”
“Oh, the original diamond probably was. But the stones that were in there were replacements. The jeweler even said he saw the marks where the real diamonds had been taken out and replaced with fakes.” She dug in her purse and pulled out the rings. She set them in front of Janice. “I have a feeling you already knew they were fake when you gave them to Chris to give to me.”
Janice went pale and looked at the phone and shook her head. “That’s not true. It can’t be true.”
“If you didn’t change the stones then who did?” Carolina frowned.
“I think maybe Chris can help out with that.” Rebecca sneered.
“Chris, did you know the stones had been changed?” Carolina stared at the phone.
Silence stretched in the room.
“Chris, now is the time to come clean.” Rebecca nudged.
“You make it sound way worse than it is,” Chris huffed.
“Did you take the diamonds out of the ring?” Carolina gasped.
“When we got engaged we didn’t have much money and I needed a new car. So I changed out the diamonds.”
Carolina narrowed her eyes. “You took the diamonds out to buy that two-seater convertible while you were in medical school?”
“Yeah. I needed that car.”
“You already had a Toyota. You didn’t need a convertible.”
Janice kept silent through the interaction. She neither defended or accused her son. Carolina knew she wouldn’t say a harsh word about him. No matter what he did.
“Is there anything else or can I go catch this flight to Greece?” Chris huffed.
“Oh, I think we have plenty of information from you. And let me warn you, Chris. If Carolina’s alimony check is one day late you will be in breach of a court order. I know some very powerful attorneys who would love to fight this for Carolina. Keep that in mind.” Rebecca ended the call before he could respond.
“I think you’ll have your alimony check on time.” Rebecca winked at Carolina. She stood. “I’ll leave you two alone. And Carolina, I’m sorry you had to sell your car to get money for your roof.” Rebecca glared at Janice.
Janice appeared shocked at that bit of information.
Once they were alone, Carolina spoke.“I guess we are done.”
“You sold your car?” Janice gasped.
“I had no choice. I was short on funds for my roof.” She stood.
“Carolina, I have something to say. I don’t understand how this all happened. Chris has always been a good boy, a good man.”
She sighed. Janice was never going to change. She would defend Chris to her death.
“Janice, I wish you well. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with Chris and Kylie. I know you have next year to look forward to when you have a grand baby. Our relationship is officially over which should make you happy. I know it does me.” She smiled politely and left the room. She spotted Rebecca in the corner where the coffee station was for employees. She made her way over.
“How did you do all this?” Carolina shook her head.
“I know you said you didn’t want to press charges. But the more I thought about everything you went through, and how your ex-mother-in-law treated you, I got angry. And then I decided to do something about it. So I took matters into my own hands.”
“Do you really know some high-powered attorneys?”
