was completely disappointed in James . I just wanted to get my mother-in-law's funeral done as quickly as possible and then completely leave this city full of lies . As for James , I didn't even want to see him again.

The florist had just handed over the packaged white chrysanthemums when a shrill laugh came from behind him.

My whole body froze, and I knew who it was without turning around.

"Hey, isn't that Sophia?" Jade's voice was filled with sarcasm. "Auntie's only been gone for a few days, and you're still in the mood to go shopping at the mall? Could it be that you knew James was here with me to try on wedding dresses today and followed me here on purpose?"

I turned and saw James standing next to Jade, clutching a bridal shop bag, his eyes filled with impatience and disdain. Jade was wearing a mermaid wedding gown, the rhinestones glittering so brightly it hurt her eyes. She deliberately spun around and put her arm around James's. "James, look at her! Mom just passed away, and she's already dressed so plainly to act pitiful. Isn't she trying to make you feel bad so she can stay by your side?"

"That's enough." I squeezed the chrysanthemum tightly, squeezing the petals until they were deformed. "I'm here to buy funeral supplies, not to waste time with you."

James scoffed, taking a step closer to me, his tone as cold as ice. "Funeral supplies? I think you're just looking for an excuse to see me, right? Sophia, don't be so unscrupulous. I know you're sad that your mother is dead, but don't spend your time stalking her. It's really cheap."

His words were like needles, pricking my temples. I was about to retort when my phone vibrated in my pocket—it was a message from Henry: "I ordered a jade bracelet for you from the jewelry store on the third floor of the mall. The style was chosen according to your aunt's preferences before she passed away. I hope this puts your mind at ease."

My heart suddenly warmed up. I clutched my phone and turned to head to the third floor . At least this bracelet was made with my heart in mind. But James and Jade followed me. Jade was still snarling, "What? You want to run away just because you were told so?"

When I arrived at the jewelry store, a waitress was already waiting there with a velvet box. She immediately came over to me and, smiling, opened the box. "Miss, this is a gift from a gentleman who ordered it in advance. He said he wanted to give it to you . He specifically said it's for his future bride. I hope you like it."

Inside the box lay a mutton-fat jade bracelet, its texture soft and smooth, exactly the style my mother-in-law always said was suitable for girls. My eyes welled up, and just as I was about to reach out to take it, Jade suddenly rushed over, snatched the box away, and smiled so hard that her eyes narrowed. "James, you're so thoughtful! I told you you wouldn't forget me. This bracelet is so beautiful!"

James was stunned for a moment, obviously thinking that it was ordered by one of his friends. Just as he was about to curl his lips, the waiter hurriedly explained: "Miss, you misunderstood. This is not for you, it's..."

"It's not for me?" Jade's smile froze on her face. She glared at the waiter and raised her voice suddenly. "Are you blind? Didn't you see James and I were together? If not me, who would he send? I'm warning you, don't talk nonsense, or I'll shut down your shop!"

The waiter was so frightened by her aura that his face turned pale, and his words got stuck in his throat. Jade snorted triumphantly, took the jade bracelet out of the box, and was about to put it on her wrist .

was stuck in the middle, but she still forced it in .

"Jade, that's not yours." I took a step forward, my voice trembling with coldness, "Someone gave it to me, let it go."

"Yours?" Jade turned to look at James as if she had heard a huge joke. "James, listen to me, an orphan without a father or a mother, who would give you something ?"

James frowned, but didn't help me. Instead, he pulled Jade's arm and said, "Come on, stop making a fuss. If you like the bracelet, take it. I'll buy her another one later." When he looked at me, his eyes were full of alms. "Sophia, if you want it, I can give you money, but don't compete with Jade. She's pregnant and can't stand being bullied."

I watched them echoing each other, watching the jade bracelet that should have belonged to me, the one with Henry's affection, being forcibly slapped on my wrist by Jade. Even the waiter didn't dare to speak. The warmth in my heart gradually cooled, replaced by a deep sense of clarity - there was no need to argue with them for a moment.

I took out my phone and sent a message to Henry: [The bracelet was taken away by Jade. It's okay, don't worry about it. I'll take care of the funeral first.]

The moment the message was sent successfully, I looked up at James and Jade, a faint smile on my lips: "If you want the bracelet, take it, but James, you'd better remember - you will have to pay me back sooner or later."

After saying that, I didn't even look at their surprised expressions. I turned around and left with Bai Ju.

The sunlight from outside the window shone through the glass and fell on the white petals in my hand. I suddenly felt that the bracelet that was stolen was nothing .

After I finish my mother-in-law's funeral and Henry collects the evidence, one day I will make them pay the price for their arrogance today.

At the funeral, I had just placed a bouquet of white chrysanthemums in front of my mother-in-law's portrait when Jade rushed in.

"Sophia! What are you thinking?"

Jade was wearing a jeweled gown, the hem of her skirt sweeping across the white flowers on the ground. She rushed straight to the altar and overturned the wreath next to it.

White chrysanthemums were scattered all over the floor. She stepped on the petals and pointed her finger at my nose. "I'm having my wedding today , and you're holding the funeral in the next room! You did it on purpose, didn't you? You just want to annoy me and make my wedding unhappy!"

"This is the seat arranged by the funeral home. I booked it a week in advance." I stood up, my voice as cold as ice. "But you, showing up at a funeral in a suit, do you have any respect for others ?"

" Respect ?" Jade sneered and stretched out her hand to sweep towards the altar .

The candlestick fell to the ground with a clang , but she was still not satisfied, so she grabbed the fruit basket on the altar and threw it to the ground .

"Stop!" I rushed forward to stop him, but it was too late .

Jade lost her balance when she turned around and her elbow hit the portrait hard.

The photo frame fell to the ground with a "bang", the glass shattered into spider webs, and the mother-in-law's gentle smile was broken into pieces. One of the pieces was crushed by the tip of Jade's high heels, making a harsh "crunch" sound.

The face of the person in the portrait is no longer clearly visible.

At that moment, the blood in my body seemed to freeze. I bent down to pick up the broken glass, but as soon as my fingers touched it, they were pulled away by a strong force .

James rushed in, holding Jade behind him, the disgust in his eyes almost overflowing.

"Sophia, you've gone too far!" He pointed at the mess on the floor, his voice anxious and angry. "On such a happy day, you insisted on holding the funeral here, deliberately bringing bad luck to Jade! Are you jealous of us not doing well?"

"Can't bear to see you guys doing well?" I watched him protecting Jade, then the crushed portrait on the ground. I suddenly laughed, tears streaming down my face. "James, open your eyes and look! Whose portrait is this? It's your mother, Linda ! You even messed up your mother's funeral to protect her murderer?"

James' face paled for a moment, but he still said stubbornly, " How is it possible? You vicious woman, how dare you curse my mother ! Jade is still pregnant, can't you give her some leniency?"

"Give her some slack?" I dug my nails into my flesh. "She ruined my mother-in-law's funeral and crushed her portrait, and you want me to give her some slack? James, has your conscience been eaten by a dog?"

Just then, I heard steady footsteps at the door of the mourning hall. I turned around and saw my mother, wearing a well-tailored black coat, walking in .

She looked thinner than in the video, but still had a strong aura. Following her was Henry in a dark gray suit.

James' eyes suddenly widened, and he subconsciously took a step back, his tone changed: "Mom? You...how could you... "

My mother ignored him and walked straight to me. She reached out and gently wiped the wax off the hem of my skirt, her eyes full of pity.

Henry bent down and carefully picked up the fragments of the portrait on the ground. His movements were so gentle as if he was afraid of breaking some treasure. He also took out a tissue from his pocket and handed it to me.

Jade looked at the scene and her arrogance weakened a lot, but she still insisted: "James, why is your mother here? Isn't she..."