“Miss… I’m sorry,” she murmured. “It wasn’t my choice. Miss Bianca ordered it. She said she didn’t want to see your belongings around anymore.”
I went still.
Of course. Bianca. Taking my husband wasn’t enough—she wanted to erase me completely.
I turned away, ready to let it all burn. None of it mattered anymore… until something caught my eye.
A thin silver chain shimmered briefly in the flames.
My breath hitched.
My mother’s necklace.
The one thing she gave me before she died. The last thing she pressed into my palm, whispering, This will keep you safe.
“No!” I cried out, rushing forward. The heat seared my hands as I reached into the fire, yanking the necklace free just before it vanished. Smoke stung my eyes, but it wasn’t smoke that made them burn.
It was fury.
I stormed back inside, clutching the necklace tightly, and found Bianca lounging in the living room like she owned it. One hand rested on her rounded belly, her posture relaxed, victorious.
“Why?” My voice shook as I faced her. “Why did you burn my things? That necklace was my mother’s.”