Chapter 43

But Grandma died when I was about ten. Her death was quick. In the hospital, she gave me this pair of emerald bracelets. She had looked at me on the hospital bed, reluctant to part with me. She said, "Aria, I don't have much to give you. I've been wearing these bracelets ever since I was young. When you find someone you like, treat these bracelets as your wedding gift." I was choking with sobs. On top of me, Elijah said, "Ariana, don't leave. We'll be okay." I slapped him hard and glared at him. "We'll never be okay! You tore Grandma's photograph!" Trembling, I picked up the photograph as my tears continued to fall. At that moment, the door opened, and Jocelyn looked at us on the bed in shock. Her expression shifted. "Elijah, what are you doing?" I took that chance to grab the bracelets from Elijah's hand. I was about to run outside, but Jocelyn blocked me. "You're not allowed to leave." She stared at the bracelets in my hand in suspicion. I noticed the greed in her eyes