"I only want the bracelet. Give it back."
Roberta pursed her lips and deliberately swung her hand behind her back.
I couldn't stand it another second and lunged to snatch the bracelet back.
Before my fingers could touch her, Dana's grip closed around my wrist.
"Just the bracelet? What about the ring?"
Something dark and angry sat at the bottom of his eyes.
I drew a deep breath and shook off his hand.
"That bracelet was my mother's keepsake. You know that!"
"As for the ring, we've already broken up. Whoever you give it to has nothing to do with me."
Dana stared at me for a long moment.
Then he laughed, pushed past fury into something colder. "Broken up, is it? Fine. I accept! We'll see which one of us ends up crying and begging to get back together."
I couldn't be bothered with him anymore. I only wanted the bracelet back.
But Roberta made a face like she'd touched something foul. "Something a dead woman wore? Ugh, disgusting. So unlucky. Here, take it back."
She slipped the bracelet off fast, and then her hand jerked.
With a sharp crack, the jade hit the floor and shattered into pieces.
The last thread of reason in me snapped clean through, and I swung my hand and slapped Roberta hard across the face.
"You did that on purpose!"
Dana rushed to shield her, snarling at me. "Cordelia, you've gone too far! Bertie's sick. So she lost her grip, so what?"
"It's just a cheap bracelet. Fine, I'll pay you ten times over. Now stop giving Bertie a hard time."
"Keep losing your mind and I really will break up with you!"
My eyes burned red as I raised my hand and slapped him too.
"I really regret ever loving you! And you'd better keep your word!"
Both the breakup and the tenfold payment for that priceless jade bracelet.
I crouched down and began picking up the shards of jade, one by one.
But my breathing had turned ragged.
A moment ago all I could think about was getting the bracelet back. Only now did it register.
The air was thick with the scent of lilies.
And I was severely allergic to lilies.
I lifted my eyes and met Roberta's triumphant smile.
Each breath came harder, my hands trembling and useless, without even the strength to unlock my phone.
All I could do was force out a plea for help.
"Hospital. Ambulance…"
Dana's brow twitched, and he instinctively moved to help me up.
But Roberta clutched at his sleeve, her voice quivering. "Dana, my chest hurts so much."
Dana swept her up into his arms at once. "Don't be scared. I've got you."
Before he strode off, he dropped his gaze to me.
There was a knowing mockery in his eyes.
"Bertie's sick so now you're sick too? Cordelia, I think you really are sick. Sick with jealousy!"
Their mutual friends jeered along. "So it's envy, huh? How do you even cure a disease like that?"
Dana sneered. "Don't bother with her."
Roberta leaned back to flash me a victory sign.
My vision blurred by degrees.
Dana.
So in the very end.
It was your back, walking away with another woman in your arms.
Before I lost consciousness, a kind waiter found me and got me to the hospital.
I slept for two days and two nights.
When I woke, I found his reply.
【Cordy, I'm out on a construction aid project in Africa, the signal's terrible and I just got your message.】
【I'm flying straight back to marry you and take you on our honeymoon. You have to wait for me!】
The message had been sent twelve hours ago. By now his plane should be about to land.
Smiling, I checked myself out and went to meet the man who had waited nine years for me.
Meanwhile.
Dana and Roberta arrived at the airport.
Before boarding, he checked the World Cup tickets one last time.
Only to find that the pair of tickets had vanished into thin air!
