Chapter 4 Nothing Left Worth Holding on To

Then, I opened my email, organized the revised sample pages of the picture book, filled out the submission form, and clicked send.

…

Just before I got off work, Enzo's mother, Camellia Crawford, called. She asked me to return to the family home for dinner and finalize the wedding arrangements.

I held my phone, watching her name flash across the screen, quietly rehearsing how I would explain that I wanted to cancel the wedding.

When I arrived, I had barely pushed open the living room door when laughter spilled out. Natalie sat close beside Camellia on the sofa, their arms linked, chatting intimately. Both of them were smiling brightly.

I, on the other hand, stood at the entryway like an outsider who did not belong.

Camellia patted Natalie's hand, her tone full of regret. "If you hadn't gone abroad back then, you'd be the one marrying Enzo now instead of that small-minded woman!"

I continued to change my shoes, though my stomach churned with disgust. I might not have parents anymore, but they had left me with more than enough. Still, in their eyes, that wasn't enough to make me respectable.

"Mom, that's enough." Enzo frowned and cut her off. "I truly love Estelle. Stop comparing her to Natalie."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on me, gentle and placating, and he stepped closer as if to take my hand. But I avoided him and walked toward the sofa.

Camellia noticed me, her smile fading as she spoke coolly, "Since you're here, sit." Her hand remained firmly clasped around Natalie's, as though I were nothing more than a stranger.

I had barely taken a step closer when my gaze froze. Around Natalie's neck hung an emerald necklace that had belonged to my mother.

Noticing where I was looking, Natalie lifted a hand to touch it, a flicker of satisfaction crossing her face. "Mrs. Beck gave this to me. She said it suits me. What do you think?"

I stared at the necklace, my voice turning cold. "Since, when did my mother's belongings become the Beck family's property?"

Camellia's expression darkened. She stood abruptly and pointed at me. "Your mother lent me that necklace back then. If you had even half her generosity, you wouldn't be so petty! It's just a worthless necklace. Don't act like anyone actually cares about it."

I let out a faint, humorless laugh. "Have you ever heard of borrowing something and returning it? Keeping it for yourself is one thing, but to pass it on to someone else? Aren't you afraid the dead might come knocking in the middle of the night?"

"How dare you?" Camellia trembled with anger, her finger shaking as she pointed at me. "How dare you speak to me like that!"

Enzo quickly stepped forward and grabbed my arm, lowering his voice. "Estelle, the wedding is just around the corner. There's no need to fall out over a necklace. Once we're married, what's mine is yours. If you want a necklace, we can pick the most expensive one tomorrow, alright?"

I looked at him coldly. There was nothing but sincerity in his eyes. To me, however, that sincerity felt unbearably cheap.

"I don't care for anything you have." I slowly pulled my hand free. "This marriage is over!"

The living room fell silent.

Camellia froze for a moment before her voice shot up. "You think you can just cancel the wedding like that? Who do you think we are? A family you can cling to and dump as you please? You think you matter to us?"

I ignored her, stepped forward, and yanked the necklace off Natalie's neck.

"Ah!" Natalie cried out, clutching her throat as she shrank back, tears falling instantly. "Enzo, she—"

"Estelle, that's enough!" Enzo seized my wrist, his brows drawn tight. "Do you have to throw a tantrum at a time like this?"

I wrenched my hand free, clenched the necklace in my palm, and turned to leave without another glance.

The night wind hit my face, and the necklace pressed painfully into my skin.

…

When I got home, my phone buzzed. It was an acceptance notice from that small studio.

I stared at the screen for a long time, my eyes stinging. Then, I placed the necklace into a drawer.

Opening my wardrobe, I took out a suitcase, packed a few everyday clothes, and grabbed my drawing board. Then, I opened my phone and booked a ticket to a small southern town.

There was nothing left in this city worth holding on to.