My mother had dedicated her life to philanthropy, donating nearly everything she owned before she passed. This bracelet was the only thing she'd left me.
"This bracelet..." My voice cracked. "Why is it in the trash?"
Hannah followed my gaze. Annoyance flickered across her face before she smoothed it over.
"Oh, that. Adrian was helping clean yesterday. He bumped into it and it cracked. I figured it was ruined, so I tossed it."
She turned to him, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Don't blame him. He meant well."
I gritted my teeth. "That was the only thing my mother left me!"
Hannah's patience visibly thinned. "Aaron, it's just a bracelet. Didn't your mother donate everything else? Is this really necessary?"
"It is!" I roared.
Her face darkened. "What is that attitude?"
Adrian stepped forward, wearing practiced remorse. "Mr. Henson, I'm so sorry! I was clumsy. How much was it worth? I'll reimburse you."
He reached into the bin and retrieved the fractured jade. But the moment the shards touched his palm, his fingers spread open.
Crash.
The jade hit the floor, shattering into dust.
Blood roared in my ears. I shoved him. "You—!"
Adrian crumpled, letting out an exaggerated cry of pain.
Hannah lunged forward, her palm connecting with my cheek.
Smack!
"Aaron! You've gone too far!"
She scrambled to help Adrian up, fussing over him, then stormed out without a backward glance.
I crouched down, hands trembling as I tried to gather the dust and splinters. But no matter how hard I tried, the bracelet was gone. It could never be pieced back together.
A single tear splashed onto the ruins.
Not long after, my phone buzzed. A text from Hannah:
Aaron! You pushed Adrian and injured his ankle. I'm at the hospital with him. You have truly disappointed me.
I stared at the screen, a bitter smile twisting my lips. Injured? I hadn't used any strength at all.
Forget it. Let her spin whatever story she wants.
Hannah didn't return that night.
Early the next morning, I resolved to end this charade. I was heading out to find a divorce lawyer when a heavy blow struck the back of my skull.
The world tilted. Darkness swallowed me.
When consciousness clawed back, everything was black. A blindfold cut into my skin. Coarse ropes bound my wrists and ankles.
I struggled against the restraints. "Who are you?"
Silence.
"Money? Is that what you want? Name your price!"
Footsteps shuffled closer. Several figures surrounded me—I could feel them, the displacement of air.
Cold metal pressed against my skin.
Then a bat smashed into my shin.
Crack.
White-hot agony exploded through my leg. My vision swam behind the blindfold.
And then, amidst the blood and rusted iron, a familiar fragrance drifted over me.
Chanel No. 5. The perfume Hannah wore every day.
Was she here? Or was it Adrian, reeking of her embrace?
Does it matter? They're one and the same.
My heart seized. My body gave up the fight. I slumped to the cold ground.
When I woke again, fluorescent light burned my eyes. Antiseptic stung my lungs.
Outside the door, hushed voices argued.
Hannah.
"What is going on? We agreed on a lesson, just a warning! Why hasn't he woken up?"
"Babe, you wrong me." Adrian's voice whined with grievance. "I just broke his legs like you said. Who knew he was so fragile? He passed out like a dead dog."
Hannah's tone softened. "Alright, fine. I was just anxious. If the Hensons investigate, it'll be trouble for you. I'm trying to protect us."
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Don't pout. Here, take my card. Buy yourself something nice."
The wet smack of a kiss followed.
I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, my hands clenching under the sheets until my nails drew blood.
Creak.
The door opened.
Hannah bustled to my bedside, her face a perfect mask of worry.
She grabbed my hand. Her palm was warm against my skin.
It made my flesh crawl.
