Chapter 5

The night was pitch black.

Ethan was so panicked by the nurse’s words that he didn't even wait for me.

He ran to his car, throwing a rushed "I'll see you there" over his shoulder, and sped off into the night.

I stood under the awning of the restaurant, watching his taillights vanish into the New York traffic.

The very last ember of affection I had for him died in that cold city air.

Chloe pulled up in our town car, and we drove back to the estate.

Clara’s wing of the mansion was lit up like a Christmas tree. The sound of crying drifted through the open windows.

It sounded like a tragedy in progress.

When I walked into her bedroom, the scene was utter chaos.

Clara was propped up against her pillows, her face pale, damp hair clinging to her cheeks.

Her chest rose and fell in shallow, dramatic gasps.

Ethan sat on the edge of her mattress, holding her hand tightly in both of his.

His face was etched with terror, but his voice was incredibly soft. "Don't worry, Clara. I'm right here. The specialists are on their way. You're going to be fine."

Clara gasped for air.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw me walk in. A brief, cunning glint flashed across her face before she quickly masked it.

She weakly reached out, clutching Ethan’s sleeve.

"Ethan... I... I don't think I'm going to make it this time..."

Ethan’s chest tightened. "Don't talk like that. I won't let anything happen to you. Whatever you want, just tell me. I'll get it for you."

Tears rolled down Clara’s cheeks.

Slowly, her gaze drifted to my wrist.

I followed her eyes and felt a sudden chill.

On my wrist was an emerald-cut diamond pendant bracelet.

It was the last gift my parents had given me. Before they passed away, they had taken it to the historic Trinity Church in Boston to have the priest bless it for my protection.

Since their death, I had worn it every single day. I never took it off.

Clara looked at it with a mix of longing and pathetic helplessness.

"Ethan... I'm so scared every night. My heart won't stop racing. I heard that Aria’s bracelet was blessed at Trinity Church... that it brings peace to whoever wears it. Since my time is short... could I borrow it for just a few days? Just until I feel safe. I promise I'll return it to her."

"And if... if I don't make it... I want to be buried with it. So I won't be scared in the dark."

The room fell dead silent.

Without a shred of hesitation, Ethan turned to look at me.

His voice left no room for argument. "Aria, she’s in critical condition. It's just a bracelet. Let her have it."

I looked him dead in the eye. "No. It belonged to my parents. I'm not lending it to anyone."

Clara’s body shuddered violently, as if she had been slapped. She began to cough hysterically, clutching her chest.

"I... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked... It's my own fault... Don't fight because of me..."

She wept, her frail frame shaking.

Ethan’s temper flared. He glared at me, his voice booming through the room.

"Aria, enough! She is dying! It’s a piece of jewelry! Is your stupid pride more important than her life? You're my wife—stop being so incredibly petty!"

Seeing Ethan take her side so aggressively, a smug look flashed in Clara’s eyes.

While everyone's attention was on Ethan, she suddenly lunged forward, her hand clawing directly at my wrist.

Her movement was incredibly fast and aggressive—not at all like someone on the brink of death.

I instinctively pulled my arm back to protect the bracelet.

But she grabbed the delicate platinum chain, pulling with surprising strength.

"Aria, please! Just let me have this one comfort!" she shrieked.

Seeing us struggle, Ethan snapped. "Aria, let go! You're going to hurt her!"

He grabbed my arm, pinning my wrist down with brute force.

I couldn't move.

Taking advantage of my restraint, Clara gave a violent yank.

*Snap.*

The sound of the platinum chain breaking was clear as day.

The emerald-cut diamond pendant tumbled to the hardwood floor, the delicate stone chipping as it hit the ground.

I stared down at the broken piece of my mother’s legacy.

In that moment, something inside me broke forever.

The tension in the room instantly vanished. Clara let go and fell back onto her pillows, sobbing loudly, stammering that she hadn't meant to break it.

Ethan didn't even look at the broken jewelry on the floor. He was too busy leaning over Clara, murmuring comfort.

"It's fine, Clara. It's just a bracelet. I'll buy you a better one tomorrow."

I knelt down, picking up the broken chain and the chipped diamond piece by piece.

A sharp edge sliced my index finger, and a drop of blood fell onto the floor.

But I felt absolutely nothing.

I stood up, pocketed the broken pieces, and walked out of the room without looking back.

Ethan watched my cold exit, a sudden, inexplicable sense of dread washing over him.

He made a move to follow me, but Clara clutched his hand.

"Ethan, please don't leave me. I'm scared."

He sighed and sat back down.

He assured himself that Aria was always reasonable. She wouldn't stay mad over a broken bracelet.

I sat by the window in my room, watching the night turn to dawn.

As the first light of morning broke over the estate, I sent a text to Chloe.

*“Book me the earliest flight to Boston. Today.”*