02
Ciara’s Pov
I frowned at the cashier. “Try it again.”
She swiped the card. Another beep. Another decline.
A hush fell over the store. I kept my face calm. “Your machine must not be compatible with my card.”
The cashier gave me a tight smile. “This machine works for all cards.”
Before I could respond, Hailey burst into laughter.
“Oh, Ciara.” She clapped her hands mockingly. “Did you really come dress shopping with an empty card?”
I shot her a glare. “It’s not empty. The machine just isn’t working for it.”
Hailey tilted her head, a smug smile playing on her lips. “Or maybe you just don’t have any money left.”
I ignored her and turned back to the cashier. “Swipe it again.
The cashier sighed, clearly irritated, and swiped my card once more.
Beep. Declined.
The cashier scoffed loudly. “Miss, if you’re broke, don’t pretend to be rich. This is a high–end store, not a place for people to daydream.”
Murmurs rippled through the store. Customers turned to stare. Some whispered, others chuckled. My hands
clenched into fists.
“I have the money,” I said firmly. “Your machine is the problem”
The cashier rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Just admit you can’t afford it and leave.”
Hailey let out a fake gasp. “Oh no, this is so embarrassing.” She turned to Tony, dramatically grasping his am “Tony, please do something. I can’t stand seeing Ciara humiliated like this.
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Cut the act, Hailey”
Tony sighed, acting reluctant “Ciara, let me pay for it.”
I gritted my teeth. “I don’t need your fake help.”
Tony smirked. “You don’t? Because it sure looks like you
do.”
The cashier crossed her arms. “Either pay right now or security will throw you out.”
Hailey covered her mouth, barely holding in her laughter. “Oh, Ciara. Just imagine the headlines-“Wife of Mr.
Reeds turned beggar thrown out of luxury store ”
I inhaled sharply. I would not let them see me sweat
“I need to speak to the manager,” I said, keeping my voice steady
The cashier rolled her eyes. “The manager can’t magically put money in your account.”
“I said, get me the manager.”
The argument grew louder, customers whispering and watching in amusement Just then, a deep voice cut through the noise.
“What’s going on here?”
The crowd parted as the manager stepped forward. He was a middle–aged man in a sharp suit, his name tag reading Mr. Wilkins. His gaze flickered between me, the cashier, and Hailey’s smug face.
The cashier huffed. “Sir, this woman has been trying to purchase a dress with a declined card. I was just about to have security escort her out.”
Mr. Wilkins frowned. “Is that so?” He turned to me. “Miss, may I see your card?”
I handed it to him without hesitation. He studied it, his expression unreadable, then turned to the cashier. “What machine did you use?”
“The regular one,” she said, folding her arms. “It works perfectly fine ”
Mr. Wilkins sighed, rubbing his temples. “This card is a black–tier VIP card it requires a specialized system to process payments.”
The cashier’s face paled.
“Wait, what?”
The whispers in the store shifted, confusion replacing amusement
Hailey’s eyes widened. “That’s impossible! Ciara doesn’t have that kind of money!”
I smirked. “You seem very invested in my financial status, Hailey. Should I show you my bank statement next?” Hailey opened her mouth, then snapped it shut, seething
The cashier stammered, flustered. “I–I didn’t know….”
Mr. Wilkins‘ expression hardened. “You didn’t know because you didn’t check. Instead, you chose to humiliate a customer in front of everyone.” He turned to me, bowing slightly. “I deeply apologize for this unacceptable behavior, Mrs”
“Gurrelio is fine,” I said smoothly.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Mr. Wilkins‘ head snapped up. “As in the owner of this store? The Gurrelio…”
“Yes,” I said, savoring the moment. “The Gurrelio family.”
The cashier turned as pale as a sheet.
Tony looked stunned. “Ciara… What did you just say?”
I met his gaze, my smirk growing. “You heard me.”
The realization dawned on him. His fists clenched. “You married Zaverio Gurrelio?”
I let the silence stretch, watching the anger flicker in his eyes.
Hailey recovered first, her voice sharp. “You’re lying! There’s no way you-”
“Would you like to call him and confirm?” I asked sweetly.
She fell silent.
Tony’s jaw tightened. “You went from me to him?”
I shrugged. “Zaverio is ten times the man you’ll ever be, Tony.”
His eyes darkened with fury. “You think he actually cares about you?”
Then I turned, leaving lony and Hailey in stunned silence.
Just as I reached the exit, Tony’s voice rang out behind me, sharp with anger.
“This isn’t over, Ciara.”
I smirked to myself and walked out.
