Chapter 2

Maybe feeling guilty, Solomon invited a few friends over to our place.

I'd always wanted to be part of his circle, but he'd always come up with some excuse to keep me out.

Funny how life worked. Just when I was about to walk away, that wish finally came true.

The house became lively all of a sudden.

Everyone was all smiles at first.

But the moment Yvonne showed up at the door, everyone's smiles froze.

Except for Solomon.

He stood up unhurriedly, looking at Yvonne with obvious concern.

"Why didn't you let me know you were coming back? I could've picked you up with Jane," Solomon said.

Yvonne smiled warmly, walked over, slipped her arm through mine, and handed me a box.

"Jane, long time no see. I brought this to make up for your anniversary gift. Freshwater pearls. I bet you've never seen anything like these," she said.

I just stood there, staring silently at the box in my hands.

As Yvonne walked over to the table, Solomon raised an eyebrow and almost handed her the strawberry cake without thinking.

But Yvonne slipped her arm through Solomon's and gave him a playful shake, acting all cute.

"Uncle Solomon, I can't believe you still remember what I like. But ever since you got married, you barely talk to me anymore. Did you forget you even have a niece?" Yvonne teased.

Solomon gave a helpless smile and gently put some distance between them.

"Yvonne, you're getting married soon yourself. You should watch how you behave a bit," he said.

Yvonne stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Solomon's neck, and gave me a provocative look.

"Uncle Solomon, you're the only family I've got. After all this time apart, can't I be a little affectionate with you?" she teased.

Solomon smiled and ruffled Yvonne's hair, but when he caught sight of me out of the corner of his eye, his hand paused mid-motion.

Maybe noticing my mood, Solomon quickly switched the topic.

"Oh, right. Didn't you say you needed a jade pendant? Jane's got one. I'll grab it for you," Solomon said.

With that, he unlocked the cabinet and pulled out a jade pendant.

My heart skipped a beat, and before I knew it, I lunged forward.

"Solomon, that's my mom's keepsake," I cried.

Solomon frowned at my outburst, holding the pendant tightly, his voice full of helplessness.

"Jane, don't make a fuss. You never mentioned this was your mom's keepsake. If you really want one, I'll get you another later. But for now, let Yvonne have this one," he said.

Yvonne stepped forward, her eyes shining as she took the pendant, then smiled at me.

"Jane, I hardly ever find something I truly like. Why don't you let me have this jade pendant?" she said sweetly.

With that, she started examining the pendant closely, turning it over in her hands.

I stared hard at her hand, afraid she'd do something on purpose. When I glanced up, she was already looking at me with that sly, challenging glint in her eyes.

My chest tightened.

Just as I feared, the next moment, the pendant slipped from her hand and hit the floor, breaking into pieces.

Yvonne's hand was still hanging in the air, her face feigning embarrassment, but her eyes sparkled with barely hidden glee as she looked at me.

"Oops, sorry Jane. Guess I didn't hold it steady," she said.

She acted all innocent, but the triumph in her eyes was plain as day.

I rushed over, trying to fix the pendant, but it was smashed into pieces.

My eyes went bloodshot as I glared at Yvonne, screaming at her.

"Yvonne, you knew exactly how much this meant to me," I yelled.

Seeing Yvonne on the verge of tears, Solomon pulled her behind him protectively.

"Jane, it's just a regular jade pendant. Why are you getting so worked up over something so trivial?" Solomon said.

Just a regular jade pendant?

Yeah, just a regular pendant.

Just a cheap trinket from a jewelry store, but after my mom was beaten to death, it was the only thing I had left to remember her by.