The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 168

Callum’s POV

I had been wandering the market street, waiting for Bianca to come out of a nearby shop she’d insisted on stopping in, when I saw her: Liora, brushing past me in a leather jacket I’d never seen her wear, amber hair trailing behind her.

And then I saw the brooch. It fell out of her pocket, bright blue and ornate. Even from afar, I could tell it was precious. I grabbed it and jogged after her.

“Liora! Liora, you dropped your—”

But it wasn’t her. The girl turned slightly, just enough so I could see the side of her face, and I realized that it was just someone who vaguely resembled Liora.

In my moment of shock, I lost her. She slipped into the crowd before I could catch up with her, and then she was gone.

“Damn,” I muttered, looking down at the pendant in my palm. It was a clear blue sapphire surrounded by silver, with both a pin and a place for a necklace chain on the back. There was a small, engraved heart on the back, too, but no other defining features. Nothing that could help me find its owner.

“What’s that?”

The sound of Bianca’s voice suddenly coming from close behind me almost made me jump. I turned, seeing her having returned from the clothing boutique with bags in her hands. Her eyes widened at the brooch in my palm.

“Is that for me?” she asked, snatching it away before I could stop her. She held it up to the light, grinning. “It’s beautiful!”

“I actually found it just now.” I looked around, hoping to spot the pin’s owner again. “I think this girl dropped it—”

“It’s just a piece of cheap costume jewelry.” Bianca attached the pin to her scarf, already claiming it for herself. “They’re probably not missing it, and besides, whoever dropped it is likely long gone by now.”

…

Liora’s POV

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Mia opened it, letting in Zane, who was wearing his usual jeans and jacket. He did a double take when he saw me, then let out a wolf whistle.

“Liora Belrose, in smokey eyeshadow? Who would have thought—”

I smacked him lightly upside the head before he could finish as I walked past him. “Let’s go. We’re gonna be late.”

“Aye aye, princess,” he said, giving me a mock salute. I ignored him, and we headed down to his car.

A little while later, we found ourselves standing in line outside the concert venue. The air was chilly in my current outfit, but I knew I would get hot inside—I was definitely going to be doing some dancing tonight, and not the ballroom kind.

“Oh, shit.” Zane suddenly turned toward me, ducking his head. “Bella is here.”