In the guest room, I took our photo out of the frame, ready to tear it up.
Just then, Carl opened the door, his voice showing a hint of annoyance. “Camelia, we need to talk.”
Before he finished, his eyes landed on the photo I was about to tear, suddenly cold. “What are you doing?!” He grabbed the photo.
I didn’t look up or respond, just kept tidying in silence. When he saw I ignored him, he slammed the photo on the table. “Jocelyn’s wrist injury has reopened and she’s emotionally unstable. Go comfort her with some kind words.”
I almost thought I heard wrong. I slowly lifted my head and looked at the man I had loved for ten years.
He wanted me to comfort the woman who caused my mother’s death and exposed his perjury scandal, leaving my father in the ICU?
A heavy ache pressed on my chest, but I forced a weak smile. “Impossible.”
His face darkened and his usual commanding tone returned. “Camelia, don’t make me repeat myself.”
“Carl,” I said calmly, as if stating a fact, “She’s your savior, not mine. I have no reason, or desire, to care about a murderer’s feelings.”
“You!” Anger flashed in his eyes, but he held it back and pulled a small brocade box from his pocket, giving it to me.
I recognized the box. Inside was a custom necklace with a pendant shaped like intertwined stars and a moon.
On our first anniversary, he put it on my finger, saying it symbolized our inseparable love. He said that wearing it meant he would always be by my side, protecting me.
I treasured it for ten years, never taking it off. After my mother’s accident, in despair, I tore it off and put it away.
“I’ve fixed the necklace,” he said, his tone soft but slightly condescending. “Go apologize to Jocelyn, say you’ll try to forgive her and I’ll act like nothing happened before.”
I looked at the necklace that once symbolized his love, now used to make me obey my enemy. I felt a deep mix of pain and absurdity.
I looked at him and smiled. I reached for the brocade box, my fingers icy cold.
Carl’s eyes showed a satisfied smile, thinking everything was back on track. But I didn’t wear the necklace. I took it and walked straight to the door.
Jocelyn leaned weakly against the doorframe, looking pitiful. In Carl’s shocked gaze, I put the brocade box in her hand. “You always wanted this necklace, right? It’s yours now,” I said flatly.
Jocelyn froze, staring at me in disbelief. Carl’s face tightened. He knew how much I treasured this necklace; ten years of gifts hadn’t replaced it.
He expected me to struggle or refuse, but he never thought I’d give away this “eternal love” so easily. Losing control made him furious.
“Camelia!” he snapped. “You always said this necklace was your most precious possession! Why did you give it away so easily?”
I lifted my head, met his gaze calmly and replied, “You asked me to give it to her. I did and now you’re upset?”
