The pendant slipped from my grasp. Julian held it up and handed it to Rianne. “Here, do you like it?”
Rianne wrinkled her nose in disgust, shaking her head. “It’s filthy. I don’t want it.”
Tears streamed down my face. “Julian, she doesn’t want it. Please, give it back to me. Take anything else you want, just not this.”
Julian toyed with the pendant, smirking. “Oh? It’s important to you? That bathhouse woman gave it to you, right?”
I nodded desperately. “Yes, I’m begging you. Please, give it back.”
Julian nodded thoughtfully. “Sure.”
Then, with a sudden swing, he smashed the pendant against the ground.
The sharp sound of shattering jade echoed through the room.
I watched in utter despair as the only keepsake from Aunt Zamara was reduced to fragments.
“Julian!” I screamed his name, my voice breaking with anguish.
