Maya's POV
Sebastian walked into our bedroom just as I put the finishing touches on my dinner preparations. His gaze immediately found the amethyst necklace resting against my throat, and something warm flickered in his expression.
"You're wearing it," he observed, though beneath his confident exterior, I detected a hint of uncertainty that contradicted everything Valentina had implied about his calculating nature.
"It's stunning," I replied, my fingers automatically moving to trace the delicate grape cluster pendant. "I've never owned anything quite like this."
"It belongs on you." He moved closer, his fingertips grazing the sensitive skin at the base of my neck where the pendant lay. "These amethysts match the exact shade of grapes at Maya Archivevault when they reach perfect ripeness."
"So this was purely aesthetic reasoning?" I asked, attempting to keep my voice casual despite the lingering echoes of doubt that Valentina had planted. "Just matching accessories?"
