Shattered Promises, New Beginnings

o days later. I had a concussion and a row o

ne. Chloe stood just behind him, her eyes wide and

k," Liam said,

, but it was hollow, just wo

happened at the party. T

s back. "But you have to admit, Ava, you

ed to build a life with was standing in my

were for a big project. The way Ethan would talk endlessly about his brilliant new colleague, Chloe. I remembered the day I found a woman' s s

gested counseling. I did everything I could to pull him back, to remind

ain. I was the privileged princess who didn' t deserve the love of

softly from behind Liam, as if her words were a gift. "

ng the martyr. I had seen her at the company, sitting at a desk near Liam' s. She had alread

am said, finally getting to the point. His eyes

ll those plans, erased in a single sentence. I felt a profound sadness, not just for the loss of him, but for the perso

was a perfect piece of theater. The heartbroke

sted with this new, ugly devotion. I felt a strange sense of

e,"

opened slightly. Chloe' s mask of sorrow fl

y voice stronger than I expec

as a small, velvet box. I opened it. Inside, nestled on the silk lining, was

e locket ba

ne I had given him, the one that had belonged to his family for generations, a piece

r grandfather, a renowned designer, crafted it for her grandm

sary, a symbol of our families joining, a

I said. "I want it back. Once I have it,

ignificant piece, valuable not just in money but in history. It was a li

hloe said, her voice soft and persuasive.

, she made me look petty and materialist

you," Liam finally

I stood there in the quiet of my apartment, the velvet box still in my hand, and