Yvette smiled triumphantly. "James, you know how much I hate it when people claim my things as theirs. If that’s the case, I’d rather not have it at all."
Before her words had fully settled, the jade pendant was flung out the window.
“No! Stop!” I screamed, my voice hoarse with desperation, and lunged toward the window, ready to jump after it.
Jameson was quicker. He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist, pulling me back before I could throw myself out.
Frantic, I shoved him aside and bolted downstairs, the sound of the pendant hitting water echoing in my mind.
Without hesitation, I dove headfirst into the freezing swimming pool.
The cold winter night offered no light; everything was shrouded in darkness. I plunged into the icy water, fumbling blindly as I searched.
Finally, my fingers grazed something sharp. Hope surged through me as I grabbed it. By the faint light, I saw it—it was my jade pendant.
But it was broken.
In the dead of winter, the freezing water clung to my skin, mocking my misery.
Clutching the shattered pendant to my chest, I collapsed into sobs, unable to contain the overwhelming despair.
Jameson arrived moments later, pulling me out of the water in a panic.
My entire body was trembling, my lips purple with cold, but my eyes burned with hatred.
I pushed him away, carefully placed the broken pendant aside, then stormed toward Yvette and slapped her hard across the face.
Her lip split, blood trickling down the corner of her mouth. But it wasn’t enough—I raised my hand to hit her again.
Before I could, Jameson rushed forward and shoved me aside, stopping me in mid-swing.
My hand slammed into the shards of the jade pendant, reopening a wound that had just begun to heal. Blood streamed down my palm, staining it crimson. But I felt nothing.
Consumed by rage, I lunged at Yvette once more, determined to hurt her.
Slap!
A sharp sound rang in the air as pain erupted across my cheek. Jameson had struck me.
His hand trembled after the slap.
"Lauren, calm down!"
I stared at him, disbelief and anguish filling my eyes.
Without hesitation, I raised my hand and slapped him back with all my strength.
Furious, he grabbed my wrist tightly, his gaze burning with anger. "Lauren, you can take out your frustrations on me, but you can't hurt Yvette!"
“Even stubbornness has its limits. I’ll replace your pendant, but now, apologize to Yvette.”
I felt like I was on the verge of madness, unable to bear the humiliation and betrayal any longer.
As Jameson gripped the back of my neck, trying to force me to apologize, I bit down on his arm with all the strength I had left.
Blood seeped through the fabric of his white shirt, spreading into a crimson stain.
I refused to let go until Yvette pushed me away in a panic.
I fell back into the pool. The icy water embraced me once more, seeping into my bones.
Above me, I could hear the distant strains of cheerful music, "Happy New Year," and fireworks exploding in the sky.
But it all seemed so far away, mocking my pathetic state.
Clutching the broken pieces of the pendant in my hand, I laughed. Then, without warning, I began to cry.
All I wanted was to go home.
Mom... All I ever wanted was a home.
Later, I dragged my exhausted body back to my small rented apartment and collapsed into a restless sleep.
In my dreams, Jameson smiled at me.
He held me close and took me to an amusement park I’d never visited as a child. He showed me the beauty of our country, from majestic mountains to serene rivers. At every temple we visited, he wrote the same wish as mine. "Jameson will love Lauren for eternity."
The dream shifted to yesterday.
He held my hand, kneeling before Grandpa Carlos, making a solemn vow.
He promised to marry me, to cherish me for a lifetime. He slipped a proposal ring onto my finger, his face radiant with joy.
In the middle of the night, I woke up unexpectedly, my body burning with fever. I wiped the cold tears from the corners of my eyes with a shaky hand and dragged my exhausted body to see the last person in this city I couldn’t bear to leave behind.
Grandpa was still in a coma. I held his rough, calloused hand and couldn’t hold back my tears anymore.
"Grandpa, you’re such a bad old man, choosing a family member for me and picking the worst one."
"So wake up soon, Grandpa, and keep being my family."
The next day, I called my professor. "Professor, I’ve decided to go to New York as an exchange student."
"Good. Come back tomorrow, and we’ll finalize the process."
I quickly packed my luggage and paid the penalty for breaking the lease on my apartment. Then, I boarded a plane headed to my university.
Before leaving, I sent a final message to Jameson.
[Jameson, I don’t want the jade pendant anymore. I don’t want you either.]
