Yesterday when I stormed out, I wasn’t even thinking about coming back,
But since things had gotten this far. I might as well pack some of my stuff.
The clothes didn’t really matter.
But these jewelry pieces left to me by my mother are my life.
I pulled out my suitcase, threw in my important documents, tossed in a couple random outfits, and then started going through my jewelry.
But no matter how many times I counted, the numbers didn’t add up.
After checking more carefully. I realized the diamond necklace I’d worn on my wedding day was missing.
Mom had worn that same necklace at her own wedding.
Sure it wasn’t worth much money now, but it meant something different to me.
[started frantically searching through the walk–in closet. The noise I accidentally made was a bit loud- it drew Blake and Amber over.
Blake asked: “Victoria, what are you looking for? I made you fresh porridge- why don’t you eat breakfast first and then come back to this?”
wasn’t planning on talking to Blake, but since only he and I used this closet, I had to ask him about the missing piece:
Have you seen the necklace I wore on our wedding day?”
3lake didn’t answer, but the second I looked up, I caught Amber’s reaction.
The missing necklace was custom–made by Dad specifically for Mom.
Since our family business was just starting out back then, my father isn’t well–off, so it was made with small scattered diamonds. None of them were very big.
Plus Amber was wearing a color that was really similar to the diamonds, so I didn’t notice it right away.
But Amber’s movements were way too deliberate.
couldn’t think of any reason for that kind of behavior other than guilt.
‘m the type who needs to get to the bottom of things right away.
So I stood up and walked straight over to Amber.
leeing this, Blake stepped in front of me:
Calm down. Amber wouldn’t take your stuff–you should look a bit more carefully.”
Amber was clutching the front of the necklace in her hand. But Blake was in my way, there wasn’t anything I could do.
had to leaned out from beside Blake to look at the back right section of the necklace.
There was one diamond that was a different color from all the others.
That’s how I recognized it immediately.
‘Give me my necklace.”
Amber had one hand on her barely–showing belly and the other covering the necklace. She gave this awkward laugh:“Victoria, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I pointed toward the side of her neck:
“That necklace broke once before. When my dad had it repaired, the jeweler accidentally mixed in one lower–grade diamond that’s darker than the rest.
I’ve got photos on my phone–want me to pull them up for comparison?”
Hearing that, Blake slowly lowered his hand. He looked at Amber, then at me:
“Victoria, don’t…”
“It’s all my fault…”
Amber put on another fake crying show.
She let go of the necklace and wiped at her tears:
“Blake, when your brother and I were together, he gave me a similar necklace. When we first got married, your family wouldn’t accept me.
Your brother was working his regular job plus weekend shifts just to give me a good life, I couldn’t stand watching him work so hard, so I secretly sold that necklace…”
“The other day when Victoria was organizing the closet, I came in to take a look. This necklace looked so much like mine that I just… I lost my mind for a second…”
Amber grabbed Blake’s arm:
‘Blake, please, you have to believe me! I wasn’t stealing–I just missed your brother so much. I wanted to wear it for a bit and then give it back to Victoria…”
Her story was full of holes, but Blake ate it right up:
Victoria, Amber didn’t mean any harm. Maybe you could…”
GIVE MY NECKLACE BACK!”
I held my hand out in front of Amber, cutting Blake off again.
Amber was crying like her heart was breaking. When she saw Blake had gone quiet, she started fumbling around trying to unclasp the necklace.
Jnder my eyes, Amber suddenly pulled hard-
Pa!
Then the necklace snapped.
Diamonds scattered all over the floor. A lot of them disappear in an instant.
My eyes turned red.
n the next second, I slapped Amber right across the face.
Almost instantly, Blake swung at my face as well and shoved me hard backward:
Victoria! It’s just a fucking necklace! Is this really worth it? I’ll buy you a new one!”
crashed to the floor hard.
he scattered diamonds sliced into my arms and legs like tiny blades.
For a moment, I couldn’t tell what hurt more–my body or my heart.
The instant I hit the ground, pure panic flashed across Blake’s face.
le started reaching down to help me up, but I pressed my hand to my stinging cheek and looked him dead in the eye:
‘We’re done. Divorce.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.