"How do you know?"

As soon as I asked, I realized how stupid that sounded.

‘Of course he'd know, given his relationship with Cecilia.’

He handed the dress back to me and said with half a smile, "Mrs. Blackwood, you think so little of me. It's just a dress. I gave it to you, why would I take it back?"

"You're giving it to me?" I was surprised.

This dress wasn't cheap—it was an Ellie Saab creation, easily worth over five digits.

Derek crossed his ...