"Exactly, Madge. You're a girl—sooner or later you'll marry into someone else's family. What's the point of you wearing a gold locket this valuable? It's a waste, plain and simple."
"Your brother already told me—this is the most precious heirloom the Sullivan family owns. It should go to the baby in my belly. That's what you call returning something to its rightful owner."
Madge's face had gone pale. James's grip had left her wrist red and raw, but he showed no sign of letting up.
"Come on, sis. Snatching things from your sister-in-law isn't a good look. Go ahead—apologize to her."
At those words, Madge turned to stare at him. Her eyes brimmed with hurt and disbelief.
Meryl was already basking in her victory, certain the locket was hers.
I looked up, a cold, derisive smile cutting across my face. My gaze could have frozen steel.
"Since when does an outsider get to decide what happens to Sullivan family heirlooms?"
"Madge is my precious daughter. Whether she marries, whether she wears the locket—that has absolutely nothing to do with you or whatever's in your belly."
"Hand the locket back. Now. Otherwise, I'll report you for robbery in broad daylight. You're not stupid—you know that unlawful possession of someone else's property over a certain value is a criminal offense. That means prison time."
Before I even finished, Meryl dropped her head and began to sniffle. Within seconds she was sobbing like her heart had shattered, throwing herself into James's arms.
"Honey, even if Mom doesn't like me, does she really have to threaten me like this? I'm carrying a Sullivan baby! Even if I'm too clumsy with words to win her over, the child is innocent, isn't it?"
James's brow furrowed with concern. He reached out and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"Don't be scared. I'm here. Nobody's going to touch a hair on your head."
That only made Meryl cry harder. Eyes rimmed red, she pressed the gold locket back into James's hand, her voice small and trembling with practiced grief.
"Take it back. I know I come from nothing. I'm not good enough for you, and I'm not good enough for the Sullivan family. Tomorrow, take me to the hospital and I'll get rid of the baby. Then we'll go straight to the courthouse and file for divorce."