Luke turned away from her and walked to his bed. He pulled open the small drawer beside it and took out the necklace. His movements were careful, almost reverent. He opened the pendant and gently poured the ashes inside, making sure none spilled. When he was done, he closed it and slipped the chain back around his neck.
He touched it once.
Then again.
For a moment, he forgot Sofia was still standing there, watching him in silence.
Her voice finally reached him. Soft. Careful.
“Who do they belong to?”
Luke didn’t look up. He walked to his closet, took out a shirt, and pulled it over his head before answering.
“They’re my mom’s.”
Sofia frowned slightly. “But… I thought the woman I met downstairs was your mom.”
“It’s my grandmother,” he said, his tone clipped.
Luke grabbed his trous
