I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I stormed off, clutching my necklace like it was my very heartbeat.
I refused to attend the wedding. I knew seeing Magdalene in my mother’s necklace would break me. So I stayed home, keeping my little jewelry box by my side. But when I opened it that morning… it was gone.
My hands trembled. My chest tightened. My first thought was clear: Magdalene.
I dialed her number immediately.
“You took it,” I said, my voice shaking with fury.
On the other end, Magdalene’s voice was breezy, smug almost. “Oh, Olive, relax. It’s just a necklace. I’ll return it after the honeymoon. Besides, your father thought it was a lovely gesture.”
“A gesture?!” I shouted. “That necklace belonged to my mother. You had no right!”
She chuckled, as if my pain was amusing. “It looks perfect with my dress. Don’t ruin the day, Olive.”
