"Lena, look!" Briana cooed, dragging out the word like she was on stage. "Isn't the birthday gift Eric gave me beautiful? It's a global LIMITED edition."
The crowd jumped in right on cue.
"So pretty!"
"Eric really knows how to treat her!"
I dropped my gaze, fingers curling into fists.
Eric's smile twitched. He gave Briana's wrist a light tug. "That's enough. Cut it out."
She pouted but backed off. Eventually.
Eric gave me a cold glance. "I brought the bracelet. Just play nice, make Briana happy, and it's yours later."
"Play nice?" I said. "You mean go along with your little humiliation game?"
"Don't be ungrateful," he warned, voice dropping. "I still have the bracelet."
Briana jumped in, all fake-sweet. "Lena, don't be mad. Everyone's just teasing."
Right on cue—
"Yeah, Lena, don't be so sensitive."
"Guess some bumpkins just don't belong in high society."
Every word sliced like a knife.
My hand clenched at my side, palm slick with sweat.
I told myself to suck it up.
That bracelet—my family's heirloom—was still in Eric's hands. I couldn't risk losing it.
Eric looked smug, like my silence was proof I'd stay in line.
"Come on, Lena," he said, handing me a glass. "Give Briana a toast. Wish her a happy birthday."
The crowd started chanting, "Drink! Drink! Drink!"
I took the glass, eyeing the murky mix.
It was clearly a mashup of whatever they had on hand.
But for the bracelet, I swallowed my pride.
Eyes shut, I downed it in one shot.
The taste hit weird—salty, bitter. Almost made me gag.
But I forced it down and held out my hand. "Bracelet."
Eric clicked his tongue and tossed me the velvet case.
As I turned to go, I heard him whisper to Briana, "It's just a bracelet. I'll get you a better one."
I didn't look back.
This time around, I wanted nothing to do with them.
But life doesn't always play fair.
***
I'd barely stepped out of the clubhouse when a black van pulled up, quiet as a whisper.
The side door slid open with a sharp clang. A few guys in baseball caps jumped out—fast, ruthless, eyes like ice.
I clutched the velvet case to my chest. My palm was soaked.
"That's her. Go!" the lead guy barked.
Before he even finished, a fist came flying.
I flinched back—straight into a wall.
Nowhere to run.
A punch slammed into my shoulder, and everything blurred.
One of them grabbed my wrist and slammed me back against the wall.
"Who are you? What do you want?" I spat.
No answer. Just fists and kicks, dull and brutal.
I curled around the case, trying to protect it.
Then someone kicked me in the gut.
I hit the ground, gasping. The case slipped from my arms and hit the pavement.
Crack.
The antique glass-inlay bracelet spilled out—and shattered.
Just like that.
The men froze, eyes flicking to the broken pieces.
"Go," the leader said. Cold.
They disappeared into the night.
I lay there, gasping. Arms, face—everything burned.
My eyes locked on the shattered bracelet. My fingers wouldn't stop shaking.
