e Herr

sive. It was also completely impersonal, utterly unlike anything Axel had ever chosen for me. He knew I preferred unique, handcrafted pieces, something with a story. This felt like a standa

eautiful necklace! Axel said it was for you! Isn't he just the sweetest?" She then walked over to my bookshelf, pul

e strained. "Get out. A

e everything, right?" She glanced at the necklace box, then back at me, a taunting glint

ound the velvet box.

this shouting, Elouise? Can't you two just get along?" He didn't wait for my answer

," Bryn sniffled, batting her eyelashes. "I was

ow. You will treat her with respect. Or you will regret it, profoundly." His voice was a low warning, a pr

these days, tightened its grip. He wasn't just dismissin

s full of false concern. "It's alright, Axel. Maybe Elouise is just having a bad day. She's prob

gaze still fixed on me. "Apo

humiliation was a bitter taste in my mouth. But the fear, deep and primal, won. I knew what he was

bled, the words tasting

cepted, Elouise. Now, let's go, Axel. We have that charity gala

gh the silent penthouse, leaving me alone with the glitterin

d, each detail reflecting a piece of our shared story. "This isn't just a jewel, Elouise," he had said, his eyes filled w

. In that moment, I knew, with absolute certainty, that my heart was a barren waste

e wanted a public display of our "united front," to counter the whispers. But

nd Bryn, on the main stage, accepting an award for the museum project. My museum project. Bryn, clad in a stunning gown, s

ut just as I turned, a sudden commotion erupted. A massive chandelier, hanging precariously above the main dining

eath the shimmering, swaying chandelier. Then, his eyes met mine. I was further away, near an exit. Fo

out of the way, shielding her with his body as the massive fixture groane

xel. He held her tight, whispering reassurances, his face pale with reli

he noise fading into a dull roar. My vision blurred, the faces around me morphing into indistinct blurs. I felt a sudden, cr

nt lights humming above me. A nurse, a kind-faced woman with tir

r pain, a deeper, more unsettling ache in my lower a

a nasty fall. And... there's something else, Elouise." She paused,