However, before I could act on my violent thoughts, a glint of gold among the ashes caught my eye, and I realized from its shape that it was my mother's locket.
Without a second thought, I reached into the pile and began digging it out with my hand.
Stacy gasped in horror and stumbled away from me.
The pain was almost unbearable, but I didn’t stop until I successfully pried it out and held it up in my blistering red hand.
The necklace was fine. That was all that mattered to me even as Matthew hurried to my side, panicking about my wounded hand.
His furious yelling at Stacy drew Vincent out of the house.
She immediately ran to his side, looking innocent, and he began comforting her, even as I was the only one visibly injured.
Vincent turned to me with a glare that wavered when he saw me in the arms of another man.
His jealousy reared its ugly head.
"YOU BRING YOUR NEW BOYFRIEND TO STIR UP TROUBLE IN MY HOUSE?!"
"It's my house, and I'll prove it when the police get here to kick you out and arrest her for destruction of property."
I pointed at Stacy, who cowered behind him with a pitiful whimper.
My words flipped a switch, and suddenly Vincent had on his professional smile.
"Calling the police is extreme, don't you think? Let's go inside and discuss this like adults. There's no reason all three of us can't be together peacefully."
"Vincent!" Stacy squawked, staring up at him in disbelief and betrayal.
I sneered, wondering how I had let myself be strung along by a plastic ring from a man like him.
"The police are on their way, Mr. Collins. I suggest you both get changed before their arrival."
Matthew helped me to my feet with gentle care, then led me into the kitchen.
There, we ran water over my hand while we waited for the police and ambulance to arrive.
Vincent tried to convince me to drop the charges, promising we would go back to what we used to be.
He still believed I was the little fool who would rather be a mistress than lose him. I was glad to prove him wrong.
When the police led Stacy away in handcuffs, kicking and screaming, I watched with hollow victory, knowing what I had lost to gain it.
Vincent chose to follow Stacy to the station while I was taken to the hospital. Not once did he stop to ask how I was doing.
My burns were second-degree, so I was discharged from the hospital soon after with a bandaged right arm.