Chapter 70
By morning, most of my bags were packed. Boxes lined the wall beside my bed–neatly labeled and taped. Clothes, documents, photos I hadn’t burned yet. I folded the last few shirts with quiet precision, not because I cared, but because there was something strangely peaceful about moving in silence.”
They all thought I was just packing for the wedding.”
No one asked when I’d return. No one even asked if I would return.
That silence confirmed everything.”
I moved to the corner of my closet where I kept a small velvet–lined case. My jewelry collection. Trinkets from birthdays, old gifts from relatives, little mementos I had held onto.”
I opened the box to check on it. The necklace.
A diamond pendant set in platinum, delicately wrapped in an antique design. It had belonged to my grandmother. Passed down to my mother. And then to me. I was supposed to wear it on my wedding day–whenever that day came.
But when I opened the case, it was gone…
The necklace was gone.
I froze.
1
I searched the drawers, the shelves, the small lockbox I’d tucked beneath my bed. I tore through my bag. Nothing.”
Heart thudding, I marched straight into the living room. Jared was there, lounging on the couch with his phone in hand.
“Jared,” I said sharply, “where’s my diamond necklace?“}
He barely glanced up. “Oh. That.”
“What do you mean, ‘that“?““}
“I gave it to Audrey,” he said casually. “She’s gonna wear it on our Finland trip. Looks good on her.”
My heart stopped. “You what?”
He finally looked at me, annoyed by the tone of my voice. “She liked it. And it suited her. I figured, why not? You weren’t wearing it.“<
I stepped closer, fists clenched. “It’s not just some accessory. That necklace is a family heirloom. It belonged to my mother’s family. It was given to me. It’s mine.”
Jared shrugged. “Audrey’s family too. Why are you being like that? And she was just borrowing it.”
“No, she’s not,” I hissed. “She was never family. I made her part of our lives. I begged my parents to take her in. I gave her a home. And what did she do? She took everything.”}
His expression darkened. “You’re being rude, Maureen. I can’t believe you were really jealous of her like she said.“”
“I’m being honest,” I spat. “I regret ever bringing her into my life, and I am not jealous! Never! She’s nothing but a bitch!” And then it happened.
Slap.Z
My head whipped to the side. A sharp sting burned across my cheek.
I blinked, stunned. Jared’s hand still hung in the air between us.
“She’s your sister, not by blood, and also your best friend,” he snapped. “She is also like us. Don’t ever talk about her like that again.“[
Before I could respond, Audrey walked out of her room in a silk robe, barefoot, and playing innocent like she always did.
“What’s going on?” she asked sweetly, looking between us. “Why are you shouting?”
I pointed at her chest. “Where is the necklace?”
Audrey glanced down like she’d forgotten she was even wearing it. The diamond glinted at her collarbone.
“Oh… this?” she said, touching it lightly. “I just borrowed it. I didn’t think you’d mind. Jared said it was okay. And I mean, I’m part of the family too, right?“E
“Take it off,” I snapped. “Now.”
Her expression faltered. “Maureen-“M
“Take. It. Off.”
I stepped toward her. She backed away, clutching the necklace.M
“What’s wrong with you?” she said, voice rising. “Why are you acting like this? I just wanted to feel pretty. I love this necklace
I reached out to snatch it, but she yanked it back. We struggled. She fought harder than I expected, and the delicate chain
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snapped.
The diamond pendant clattered to the floor, rolling under the coffee table.
“You ruined it!” I screamed.
“It’s not a big deal,” she said breathlessly. “It’s just a necklace!”
“You had no right to wear it!“\
Jared rushed to Audrey’s side, placing himself between us. “Back off!”
Jackson came out from the hallway, immédiately rushing to Audrey. “Are you okay?”
“She’s lost her mind!” Audrey cried, sniffling as usual. “She’s so… so mean. I didn’t mean to break it…”
“She attacked me,” she added as an afterthought. “I think she pushed me.”
“You’re unbelievable,” I whispered, numb.
Jackson turned to me, his eyes sharp. “What’s wrong with you? She didn’t mean to break it. You’re always looking for a fight!”
Then Jared shoved me back lightly, but enough to make me stumble.
“Just stop already,” he muttered, grabbing Audrey’s hand and leading her back toward her room.
And once again… they left me.”
Alone.
stood in the middle of the living room, breath ragged, eyes on the shattered necklace chain on the floor. I knelt, silently, and picked up each broken piece of the pendant with trembling fingers.
That was it.”
That was the last line they crossed.<
I walked straight to my room, pulled out my phone, and dialed the landlady.
“Hello?” she answered sleepily.
“It’s Maureen,” I said flatly. “I want to sell the apartment.”
“Sell?” she repeated. “Right away?”
“Yes,” I said. “List it. Put it on the market.“}
