Hurt flickered across Jasper's face. He pressed his lips together, then slowly, almost reluctantly, reached into his pocket and placed something on the table with painstaking care.
It was the necklace. The one he'd thrown off the bridge. The one that had caused her accident.
"Hildie." His eyes rimmed red. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so reckless. I searched that bridge for days and nights, and these were the only beads I could find. This was the best I could get it repaired."
Hilda drew a long breath, picked up the necklace, and said, "Fine. I'm leaving."
Jasper choked. His hand shot out and caught her arm.
"Hilda, let me make it up to you. I'll buy you another one. Something nicer, something more expensive."
Hilda tilted her head and looked at him. A bitter smile crossed her lips. "Jasper, there's no need to trample all over my grandmother's love like that."
His expression changed.
"She had those two necklaces made with every penny she'd saved over her entire life, while she was already sick. Her wish was for you and me to live happily ever after." Hilda's voice was steady and merciless. "You lost the right to wear that necklace a long time ago."