I clenched my fists to stop my hands from trembling. “Amber, you don’t understand… My mom gave that to me before she died! Please… just give it back!”
Her laughter was sharp and heartless. “Your mom must’ve been as pitiful as you if this trash is all she left behind!”
Her words sliced through me like a knife. My mom wasn’t just a memory—she was the strongest person I’d ever known.
She had fought a brutal battle against cancer when I was barely a teenager, pouring every ounce of her strength into making sure I wouldn’t feel alone after she was gone. The bracelet was her final gift to me. I could still hear her soft, tired voice: “Elliana, this is for you. Whenever you feel lost, wear this and know I’m always with you.”
I hadn’t taken it off since the day she died. It wasn’t just a piece of jewelry—it was her love, her strength, and my anchor when the world felt too heavy.
“Amber,” my voice shaking with restrained anger, “hate me all you want, but leave her out of this. Give me the bracelet!”
Her smirk turned wicked. “Or what? Huh?” Before I could answer, she tossed it to the ground. The delicate chain hit the pavement with a sharp clink.
“Noooo!!!” I dropped to my knees, scrambling to pick it up.
The clasp was broken, the fragile links snapped. My hands trembled as I gathered the pieces, tears threatening to spill over.
Amber loomed over me, her shadow blocking out the sunlight. “Look at you…” she sneered. “Crying over some broken junk? Maybe you should’ve thought about your poor mom before you decided to ruin someone else’s relationship!”
I shot to my feet, my anger finally boiling over. “You don’t know anything about me or my mom!”
Her smug expression flickered for just a moment before she recovered. “Oh, I know enough. And here’s what I think of your precious bracelet.”
Before I could stop her, she slammed her heel down on the fragile chain, crushing it into the ground.
“Amber!” I screamed, and without thinking, I slapped her. The sound echoed in the air, cutting through the stunned silence.
Amber’s head snapped to the side, and for a moment, she looked truly shocked. Then her eyes blazed with fury. “You little—”
The crowd, who had been silent up to that point, suddenly came alive.
“Did you see that? She hit Amber!”
“Elliana deserves it, though, doesn’t she? Pretending to be better than us!”
Amber’s confidence surged again, bolstered by their voices. She laughed and turned to face them. “Let’s have some fun!” she announced. “Whoever puts her in her place first gets a reward!”
Before I could react, hands grabbed at me, shoving me to the ground. Dirt was kicked in my face, and insults flew like daggers.
“Look at her now! Not so high and mighty anymore!”
“Bet all of this is just an act to get Darren’s money!”
Amber stood back, arms crossed, watching with smug satisfaction. “You wanted to make me regret this?” she taunted, pressing her heel against my cheek. “Go on, Elliana. Show me how tough you really are.”
The pull of the shift clawed at me, my wolf pacing beneath the surface. The Alpha blood in my veins burned, begging to be unleashed. My muscles coiled with the need to protect myself, to end this.
But the cool pendant around my neck kept me grounded. I bit back the urge, knowing I couldn’t shift here. Not in front of so many humans.
I closed my eyes, bracing myself, when a sudden roar of engines shattered the chaos. The crowd froze as sleek black SUVs pulled up, their presence commanding attention.
Just then, a line of sleek, high-end cars rolled up, halting right in front of the gathering.
Darren stepped out of one of the cars, his usual smug expression plastered across his face.
As soon as Darren appeared, the noisy crowd fell silent, as if someone had pressed the mute button.
Everyone's attention shifted toward him. His presence was magnetic, drawing all eyes.
The people who had been surrounding me instantly backed away, straightening up, their gazes locked on Darren.
Amber, who had been standing near me, quickly stepped aside, her posture suddenly all grace and poise.
Darren was dressed in a sharp suit that hugged his lean frame, exuding an air of confidence. His entrance was as grand as any CEO's.
Pff.
"Is that really Mr. Herault from the International Group of Companies?"
"Yeah, that's him! Check out the cars! This guy really knows how to make an entrance."
"He’s the one who got that promotion last year, right? Guess that's what being successful looks like."
"And he's not just powerful, he's good-looking too! Honestly, who wouldn’t want a guy like him?"
"Amber is so lucky! I mean, look at her—she’s marrying into power!"
