Chapter 21: Struck by Words

I held the necklace in my palm. It was definitely my sister's. I recognized the tiny scratch near the clasp.

"But why didn't you give it to me sooner?" I asked.

Ethan shrugged. "I forgot. Honestly, I could not tell you why."

I studied his face for a moment, then closed my fingers around the chain. "Thank you. This means a great deal to my family."

When I finally got home, I found Mia and placed the necklace in her hands. "Keep it safe," I told her. She nodded and held it close. I let the matter rest, though a quiet doubt lingered at the back of my mind.

The next morning, I was standing in front of Steven's desk because he had called me in. I expected another task, another schedule change, another demand. It was something else entirely.

"I heard about what happened before your marriage ended," he said. "I know I should not listen to other people's personal lives, but I think I should say this. Honestly, when I..." He paused and adjusted his tie, as though the words had caught in his throat.

It was deeply uncomfortable. This was the same man who had told me, only days ago, to stay out of his personal life. Now he was looking me straight in the eyes and speaking about my marriage.

"I know I said you should not interfere in my personal life," he continued, "and I want to apologize for that. I was out of line."

I hoped he was not like Rui, who apologized again and again and then did exactly what he had promised he would not.

"But you have to let go," Steven said.

"I do not understand, sir."

His voice softened. "I want you to leave everything behind. Your ex, the memories you wish you could erase. Face the present."

I still did not understand. My family had once believed I had not let go of my marriage, and now my boss was saying the same thing. I knew people did not move on easily, but I was not one of them. I had moved on long ago. I no longer thought about Rui.

"And how would you know that?" I asked, ready to hear his answer.

He rose from his chair. "I have seen you lost in thought, looking out of the window. Always the right side." He stepped closer, and I was speechless that he had noticed anything at all.

"That does not mean I was thinking about him," I said, trying to hide the flush in my face.

"I know it is not my place to tell you this," he said quietly. "I am not a preacher."

I could not agree with him, but I would not stand there arguing either.

"Just say you will improve."

I did not want another argument. "Okay, I will," I said, and I went back to my desk.

Maybe he wants to look mature, I thought, as though he has moved on from his ex after only a few days. He does not know that I have moved on too. I chose myself, and no man will take that from me this time. I am a new woman.

I repeated it.

I had barely settled into my chair when the door opened and one of Steven's bodyguards stepped in.

"Sir, your mother has just arrived."

"What?"

Steven rose from his chair so quickly that it rolled back and struck the wall. He looked like a man who could not believe his ears. I had seen him angry, wounded, and even playful, but I had never seen him uneasy.

Why is he so tense? I wondered.

I decided to take a look for myself. I walked out through the glass doors and stopped at the top of the entrance steps, keeping my footsteps quiet.

Two women stood beside a black car at the foot of the steps, flanked by the bodyguards. The older one was unmistakably Steven's mother. She had the same sharp jaw and the same way of standing, as if the whole street had been arranged for her. She wore a long, experience looking coat and a string of pearls, and her silver-streaked hair was swept back with perfect precision. The younger woman beside her looked about my age, with long dark hair and a stylish blue dress. Her eyes drifted over the building with open boredom.

I remembered my manners.

I walked down the steps for a better look and bowed my head in greeting. "Good morning, ma'am. Welcome. May I offer you something to drink?"

The older woman did not answer. Her gaze traveled slowly from my shoes to my face, and her mouth tightened. She turned to the younger woman, then back to me, and then she spoke.

"So this is the lady." Her voice was cold and clear, and it carried across the room. She looked at me with open hostility. "Just a cheap woman."