Chapter 2

The next day, I took the ruby necklace my mother had left me to a jewelry shop.

The clasp was broken, and the stone was cracked.

But it had been my mother's favorite.

The jeweler took it from me and let out a long sigh.

"Miss, this necklace has been dropped, so it won't be easy to repair. Would you mind waiting here while I take a look?"

I nodded. That ruby had been passed down in my mother's family for generations.

But once Bianca moved in, Elena had snatched it.

Whenever she threw a tantrum, she took it out on my mother's things.

By the time the necklace came back to me, it was a wreck.

I was so focused on the jeweler that I didn't notice two people approaching from behind.

Then I heard a laugh I knew. Cedric was there, helping Elena shop for jewelry.

The moment Elena spotted me, her eyes locked on the ruby necklace.

"Cedric, that necklace is mine. She took it from me on purpose.

"Our wedding's coming up, and that necklace would look so much better on me. Why don't you get it back for me as a wedding present?"

I stepped in front of the jeweler and told Cedric and Elena to leave. "My mother left this to me."

Elena pouted and put on her baby voice. "Cedric, Dad said everything in the house is mine. Go get my necklace back!"

I kept blocking them, and Cedric ran out of patience.

"It's just a necklace. She's your little sister. What's the harm in giving it to her?"

I looked up at him, unable to hide the resentment in my eyes.

"Cedric, this is my necklace. My mother left it to me!"

Cedric froze for a second, as if he'd suddenly remembered something.

But then he saw the tears on Elena's face, and he tried to reason with me. "Your mother's been gone for years. Looking at her things only makes you sad. Why not just give the necklace to Elena?"

I couldn't stop shaking.

He knew that necklace meant more to me than anything.

While I wasn't looking, Elena snatched it right out of the jeweler's hands.

"This necklace is mine and nobody else's!"

I lunged for it. In the struggle, the fragile chain snapped, and the ruby hit the floor.

Elena stumbled back a few steps and fell.

Cedric shoved me aside and rushed over to gather Elena into his arms.

My lower back slammed into the corner of a display case, and pain shot through my whole body.

My hand came down on broken glass, and blood ran down my wrist.

But Cedric only had eyes for Elena.

"Cedric, it hurts so much."

Cedric held her, his face tight with worry.

"Don't be scared, Elena. I'm right here."

His voice was so soft, the way it used to be when he comforted me.

Cedric had stopped loving me a long time ago. His heart belonged to someone else now.

I picked up the pieces of the shattered ruby and got ready to leave, but Elena wasn't done.

"Give me the necklace!"

Cedric planted himself in the doorway to block me.

"You hurt Elena. The necklace can be your apology."

I clutched the necklace to my chest and looked up at him.

"This was mine in the first place!"

When I wouldn't let go, Cedric kept closing in on me.

At that moment, I heard a gun being cocked above his head.

"Let go of Ms. Conti.

"She's one of us now. Lay a finger on her if you dare!"

Cedric swallowed hard, grabbed Elena's hand and ran.

The man holding the gun was dressed all in black. He gave me a small bow.

"Ms. Conti, the Don will be back tomorrow.

"Until then, we'll keep you safe!"

I had no idea what kind of marriage was waiting for me.

But I knew one thing. This time, someone had my back.