Chapter 6

The divorce was finalized after a month. Mabel booked her international flight, waiting only for the final day to arrive. As she packed her last box for shipping overseas, Anais and Alora burst into the room unexpectedly. The box tumbled to the ground, its contents scattering. Though Mabel hurried to gather everything, they'd already noticed. "What's with all this packing?" Alora demanded. "Just old things I'm donating to charity," Mabel casually came up with an excuse. Alora sneered. "You expect orphans to want your trash? How considerate." Ignoring the taunt, Mabel closed the box to leave. "Wait." Anais stopped her, plucking a bracelet from the box. "This looks interesting. I'll take it." Mabel's eyes locked onto the jewelry, her face paling as she snatched it back. "No! That was packed by mistake. It's not for donation." This bracelet was the last keepsake Mabel's mother left her before passing away. She had always treasured it carefully, never expecting Anais would stumble upon it today. "What's the big deal? It's just a bracelet!" Alora snapped with disgust. "You should feel honored that Anais likes it! Stop being so stingy with your pathetic junk!" "I said no means no!" Mabel's face flushed crimson as anger surged through her. "It's mine! Why should I give it to her?" Alora froze in shock—how dare Mabel shout at her? Who did this nobody think she was? Just as Alora reached to snatch the bracelet, Wesley pushed the door open. "I could hear you arguing from outside," he said coldly, his displeased gaze finally settling on Mabel. Before Mabel could explain, Anais immediately lowered her head with a sniffle. "Wes, it's my fault… "Ms. Myers was donating some old things, and I saw a bracelet I liked. I asked if I could buy it, but she refused..." "Exactly!" Alora added fuel to the fire. "We even offered to pay! Who's this petty over a stupid bracelet?" Wesley frowned at Mabel upon hearing this. "It's just an unwanted bracelet. If Annie wants it, give it to her. I'll buy you a new one." The casual entitlement in his voice stabbed at Mabel's heart. She bit her lip, taking deep, shaky breaths to keep her tears at bay. She held the bracelet out to him. "Wesley, look carefully. This was my mother's keepsake. "Do you have any idea what it means to me?" When her mother first passed, Mabel wore this bracelet day and night, refusing to take it off even to sleep. She only removed it after accidentally bumping it during one of Wesley's rehabilitation sessions, carefully storing it away afterward. She had thought, after all their time together, he might at least recognize it. But after a long moment, his expression remained blank—if anything, his tone turned colder. "Mabel, you've gone too far. To lie about it being a keepsake over a mere bracelet. Do you really think I'd believe that? "You're just trying to spite Annie. The more she wants something, the more you refuse her, even preferring to donate it rather than let her have it. "Mabel, I never thought you could be this petty. I'm so disappointed in you." With that, he took Anais' hand and stormed out, slamming the door behind him with a force that shook the walls. Mabel swayed where she stood before her legs finally gave out, sending her crashing to the floor. No matter what Anais said, Wesley believed her without question. Yet Mabel—even when telling the truth—couldn't earn a single word of trust. She started weeping while clutching the bracelet to her chest.