Chapter 44
“Do you not want it anymore?” The bracelet in Elijah’s hand swayed as though it was about to fall.
An invisible blade dragged across my heart at that moment.
I slowly got down on my knees.
By the side, Jocelyn sardonically said, “Oh, what a devoted granddaughter.” She then told Elijah, “Elijah, look how desperate she is for a divorce from you. She’s-
Elijah suddenly flew into a rage at her. “This doesn’t concern you. Get out!”
Jocelyn was startled. She wanted to cry, but she didn’t dare to do so when she noticed Elijah’s odd expression.
She looked me up and down, her eyes suspicious.
However, I acted as if I didn’t see or hear any of that and slowly crawled out of the room.
Under my knees was soft, premium wool carpeting. But it felt as if I was kneeling on a floor covered in glass shards.
It hurt.
It hurt so much.
Regardless, I wanted what Grandma had left behind, I wanted to have something of hers with me.
Tears relentlessly rolled down my cheeks and fell onto the carpet. I kept wiping them away, but my face remained wet. So, I quit trying and focused on crawling out.
It was a short distance, yet it felt as if it had taken me a lifetime.
Finally, when I was out of the room, I straightened my back and looked at Elijah. “Can you give me back Grandma’s stuff now?” I extended my hand.
Elijah’s voice trembled. “You were actually willing to crawl out just to leave this place?”
I repeated, “Can you give me back Grandma’s stuff now?”
I looked at the only bracelet in his hand with longing. Of the other bracelet, all I had were a few broken pieces. I couldn’t lose this one as well.
I deeply regretted coming here today. I should have been more careful when snitching Grandma’s stuff, but I messed up.
Why didn’t I remember them?
Elijah’s hands were shaking. He stared at me as if I had committed an unforgivable sin.
“Give it back,” I urged again.
Then, I abruptly said, “Do you want me to grovel? I’m begging you. Please give the bracelet back.”
At that, I threw myself prostrate.
Elijah’s voice was strained. “You want your grandma’s belongings that badly?”
My voice was tearful as I pleaded, “Elijah, please let me go. Grandma gave her things to me, not to you. Give it back. Please!” I broke down and madly knocked my head against the floor,
I truly had none of Grandma’s belongings. Grandma had never taken a photograph before when she was.
in the countryside. But now, her only photo had been torn by Elijah.
She died when I was ten, and when I realized I could return to the countryside, her old house had been demolished. Now, an unfamiliar building stood in its place.
Her stuff had all been burnt or thrown away too. The only things I could find were our family photo with Grandma before she got sick and the bracelets she gave me.
I kept knocking my head on the ground, and I could feel something warm drip down from my head.
Then, I heard Jocelyn hesitantly say, “Give it to her. The bracelet is not worth much.”
I looked up at Elijah once more. “Please give it to me. I won’t ever stand between you and Jocelyn again. I don’t love you anymore. I won’t fall in love with you again. You’re free, Elijah.”
As I spoke, Elijah’s face grew more upset.
I was about to keep begging when Teri’s yells rang out from downstairs, “Elijah, you’re bullying Ari again! Let go of her!”
“Slam!” A loud noise sounded downstairs
I looked over and saw Teri waving a golf club around, smashing a vase.
She yelled, “Elijah, let her go if you’re a man! If you don’t, I’ll destroy this pigsty of yours!” The golf club smashed through the glass coffee table with a clatter.
Jocelyn shuddered. “Give it to her quickly. Call the cops! Call the cops!”
Once Elijah was distracted, I leaped up, grabbed the bracelet, and frantically darted down the stairs.
However, I ran too quickly and fell down a few steps.
Teri swiftly helped me up. “Are you okay? Are you okay, Ari? Your face… Your head…”