The Bracelet in the Ashes

When I woke up, Elliot was standing by the window. His voice was low as he spoke. "Ms. Shelton told me everything. You shouldn't blame her."

I froze as a tear slipped onto my hand. "What did you just say?"

"The person who decided your mother should be removed from the Graf family mausoleum was your father, not Ms. Shelton. She was young back then. What could she have known? And… " Elliot trailed off.

For the first time, he didn't dare look at me. "Last night, Mrs. Graf's grave in the suburbs was dug open. They couldn't find the body. People are saying that the Zellers did it. Mr. Graf tried to stop them, but… he couldn't."

'The Zeller family… He couldn't stop them… Elliot Zeller, that was your fucking family!'

My mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. I hadn't known pain could reach a point where even breathing stole every bit of strength I had. How could I even speak in such circumstances?

Something inside me snapped.

I ripped the IV needle out and lunged at Elliot with everything I had. I wanted to kill him. No, I was going to kill him.

He thought I was simply overwhelmed, so he held me tight. The tender tone he used to soothe me only made it more unbearable. "It's okay. It's okay. Ms. Graf, it's over."

I bit him, but he didn't flinch.

I threw whatever I could grab, but he only looked at me with pity. No, he was looking at me like I was a child throwing a tantrum.

Eventually, I ran out of strength. I shoved him out of the room, locked the door, and pulled open the drawers to gather every trace from the years I had loved him.

I tore apart the very diary I'd used to write about my crush on him. I smashed every treasured birthday present he'd given me. For the finale, I yanked out every piece of clothing he had ever brushed against and piled them all up. Then, I lit a match and burned it all to ash.

After the flames died, I sat on the cold floor in silence and waited for dawn.

Once the sun rose, I showered in freezing water before carefully applying my makeup. I was going to look like the most beautiful version of myself or die trying.

So, I practiced smiling at the mirror until the corners of my lips no longer looked strained. When I was ready, I picked up the photo album my mother left me and got into the car. It was time for me to head to the Hunting Residence.

Elliot was standing in the courtyard just as the car was about to depart. When he saw me, something like surprise flickered in his eyes. "Ms. Graf, where are you going?"

It was the first time he had ever cared where I went. Funnily enough, it was also the first time I had ever lied to him. "Just to clear my head."

He nodded, not suspecting a thing. "Do you need me to go with you?"

"No." I didn't dare look at him, afraid he would see the hatred in my dulled eyes. "Do help me tidy my room once you're available. I made a mess of it last night."

Elliot agreed without hesitation. Before I left, he looked back at me once more. "Ms. Graf, stay safe."

I nodded and didn't say another word. Only when his figure disappeared completely did I turn to the chauffeur. "To the Hunting Residence."

…

At the same time, Elliot discovered the ashes left scattered across my room. In the center of it all, a half-melted crystal bracelet glimmered faintly in the sunlight. "This is… the gift I gave her?"

I got it two years ago when I had to spend another birthday alone.

I had badgered him the whole way home until he finally lost patience, got out of the car, and bought a five-dollar crystal necklace from a roadside stall.

I had treasured it like it was priceless, wearing it every day. However, I had left it behind.

Elliot's mind went blank for a moment. He was so out of it that he even forgot about his obsession with cleanliness as he picked up the broken bracelet and ran out the door.

He ran straight into my father, who stopped him. "Elliot, there you are. I needed to speak with you. Natalie is getting married today. You'll stay by Chloe's side from now on."

The bracelet snapped in Elliot's hand, the cheap crystal beads scattering across the ground. He stared at my father, red creeping through his eyes. "What did you just say?"