Chapter 5
Angela's necklace was the last expensive thing she had ever bought for herself.
It was a delicate gold chain with a small diamond pendant.
Nothing flashy.
Nothing extraordinary.
But it meant everything to Maya.
Angela had worn it almost every day.
When she died, I placed it inside a velvet jewelry box.
I told Maya she could have it when she turned sixteen.
On her birthday, I gave it to her.
She cried.
Then she put it around her neck and whispered, "Now I can keep Mom close."
I remembered that moment clearly.
I remembered how carefully she touched the pendant.
How she smiled through tears.
How she promised never to lose it.
Now Denise was telling me the necklace was missing.
I stared at her.
"What happened to it?"
She shrugged.
"Ask Maya."
My jaw tightened.
"You seem to know something."
Denise looked offended.
"Are you accusing me?"
"I'm asking a question."
She crossed her arms.
"Maybe Maya sold it."
I felt sick.
"Why would she do that?"
Denise shrugged again.
"Teenagers do strange things."
I stared at her.
Then walked upstairs.
Maya was sitting at her desk doing homework.
She looked up when I entered.
"Hey, Dad."
I smiled gently.
"Hey, sweetheart."
I sat beside her.
"Can I ask about Mom's necklace?"
Her expression changed instantly.
She looked down.
My stomach tightened.
"Maya?"
Her eyes filled.
"I didn't lose it."
I leaned forward.
"I didn't say you did."
She swallowed.
"Denise said you would think I was irresponsible."
I felt my chest ache.
"What happened?"
Maya began crying.
"She took it."
My blood turned cold.
"What?"
Maya wiped her cheeks.
"Three months ago."
I stared at her.
"Why?"
"She said it was too valuable for me to wear to school."
I frowned.
"That wasn't her decision."
Maya nodded.
"I know."
She continued.
"She said she'd put it somewhere safe."
My jaw tightened.
"Did she tell you where?"
Maya shook her head.
"I asked for it back."
Her voice cracked.
"She said I wasn't mature enough."
I felt anger rising.
"Did you tell me?"
Maya looked down.
"No."
I closed my eyes.
"Why not?"
She whispered, "Because Denise said you'd be disappointed in me."
I stared at my daughter.
She had been manipulated into believing she was responsible for something she hadn't done.
I took her hand.
"Sweetheart, you didn't do anything wrong."
She began crying harder.
I hugged her.
Then I stood.
"I'm getting it back."
Maya grabbed my arm.
"Dad, please don't fight."
I looked down.
I understood her fear.
For years, every disagreement with Denise had ended with Maya apologizing.
I knelt.
"I'm not going to shout."
She nodded.
"But I'm going to protect what's yours."
I kissed her forehead.
Then returned downstairs.
Denise was sitting at the kitchen table.
She looked up.
"Well?"
I stared at her.
"Where's the necklace?"
Her expression changed.
"What?"
"Angela's necklace."
She shrugged.
"I don't remember."
I felt my jaw tighten.
"Maya told me you took it."
Denise rolled her eyes.
"Of course she did."
I placed both hands on the table.
"Where is it?"
She sighed.
"Marcus, please."
I stared.
"Denise."
She finally stood.
"Fine."
She walked toward our bedroom.
I followed.
She opened the jewelry drawer.
Then hesitated.
I watched her.
Something wasn't right.
"Denise?"
She closed the drawer.
"I don't have it."
I felt cold.
"What do you mean?"
She looked away.
"I gave it to someone."
My heart stopped.
"Who?"
She swallowed.
"My sister."
I stared at her.
"Your sister?"
She nodded.
"Monica."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"You gave my dead wife's necklace to your sister?"
Denise became defensive.
"She needed money."
I felt sick.
"What?"
"She was behind on rent."
I stared at her.
"So you gave her Maya's necklace?"
Denise crossed her arms.
"It was sitting in a drawer."
My voice became dangerously quiet.
"It wasn't yours."
She looked away.
"I was going to replace it."
I laughed bitterly.
"Replace it?"
Denise frowned.
"What's wrong with that?"
I felt my chest tighten.
"That necklace belonged to Angela."
My voice cracked.
"She wore it while she was fighting cancer."
Denise rolled her eyes.
"Marcus, it's jewelry."
I stared at her.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I whispered, "Get out."
Denise froze.
"What?"
I looked directly into her eyes.
"I need you to leave this house."
She laughed nervously.
"You're joking."
"No."
Her face changed.
"Marcus, it's a necklace."
I shook my head.
"No."
I stepped backward.
"It's years of disrespect."
Her eyes filled.
"You're throwing me out?"
"I'm asking you to stay somewhere else while we figure out what happens next."
She stared at me.
Then her expression hardened.
"You'll regret this."
I swallowed.
"Maybe."
She grabbed her handbag.
"But Maya won't spend another night afraid of upsetting you."
Denise stormed toward the door.
Before leaving, she turned.
"You're choosing a dead woman over your living wife."
I felt something inside me break.
I looked at her.
"No."
My voice was steady.
"I'm choosing my living daughter."
Denise slammed the door.
For several minutes, I stood motionless.
Then I called Monica.
She answered cheerfully.
"Marcus!"
I took a breath.
"Monica, I need to ask you about Angela's necklace."
Silence.
Then she whispered, "What necklace?"
My stomach tightened.
"Denise said she gave it to you."
Monica's voice changed.
"She told you that?"
I felt cold.
"Yes."
There was a long pause.
Then Monica said something that made my heart stop.
"Marcus, Denise didn't give me a necklace."
I stared at the wall.
"What?"
Monica swallowed.
"She sold it."
My hands began shaking.
"To whom?"
Monica hesitated.
"There's something else you need to know."
I closed my eyes.
"Tell me."
May you like
Her voice became quiet.
"That wasn't the only thing Denise took from Maya."
