Chapter 3
1004 Words
It was already 1 a.m. by the time I got home. The moment I pushed open the door, I felt all the blood in my body run cold.
The whole place had been ransacked, drawers pulled out and contents scattered everywhere.
Even the safe had been pried open. Nothing else was missing, every valuable was still in its place, except for one thing. The rosary I had kept there was gone.
I did not need to guess who was behind this.
From the entryway came the sound of a key turning in the lock. Lila walked arm in arm with Grant, holding up the string of beads right in front of my face.
"Sella, look what Grant gave me," she said with a bright smile. "He noticed I'd been having trouble sleeping, and said this would help me rest easier."
My eyes locked onto that familiar strand, and instantly, the sound of my father's voice before he passed away echoed clearly in my mind.
The final thread of restraint inside me snapped completely. I lunged forward and struck her hard across the cheek, then grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled tight.
"If no one ever taught you manners, then I will! You do not have the right to touch other people's things, and there will be consequences for it!"
Lila cried out in pain, clutching her scalp. When she felt the warm trickle of blood on her fingers, she shrieked even louder, "Ah, I'm bleeding! Grant, help me!"
Grant seized my wrist in an iron grip, squeezing so hard I thought my bones might c***k.
"Let go of her!"
I stared straight into his eyes for a second, then let out a cold laugh. I swung my free hand and slapped him across the face with all my strength. His right cheek quickly flushed red, marked by faint streaks.
"Grant, if you can't keep her in line, then I will do it for you! You knew exactly what that rosary meant to me. How dare you just give it away without even asking?"
He touched his stinging cheek, his brow furrowing deeply. He reached out and unclasped the rosary from Lila's wrist.
For a split second, I thought he was finally going to return it. But instead, he gripped both ends and tore the string apart. The beads scattered and rolled across the floor in every direction.
My mind went completely blank. Memories began flashing before my eyes one after another.
I remembered my father, already gravely ill, sitting in his wheelchair. His hands shook so badly he could barely hold a pair of cutlery, yet he insisted on going to the church and stringing each bead one by one with his own hands.
I remembered him holding them reverently while the priest recited the blessings, tracing his fingers over them again and again as he said they would watch over me and bring me peace and protection.
Before he drew his last breath, he held my hand tightly. His voice was weak, but he smiled softly and said, "Sella, I can no longer stay by your side. Wear these beads, and let them watch over you and keep you safe, just as I would."
Those memories cut sharper than any blade. Even breathing felt painful.
But Grant simply looked down at me and spoke coldly, "Your father is gone. What good is this trinket to you now? Why make such a fuss over something so worthless?"
When he saw the silent tears begin to stream down my face, his tone softened slightly, though it held no real sympathy.
"Sella, Lila is not like you. She lost her father the day she was born. At least yours was with you for more than twenty years. What more could you possibly ask for?
"I used to think you were understanding and generous, but such madness is unacceptable."
His face remained unnervingly calm, as if I were the one acting like a madwoman.
I remembered the day my father strung those beads.
Grant was standing right there beside me, holding my hand as he promised, "Sella, from now on, I will stand alongside these beads and protect you, always."
How laughable those words sounded now.
Lila leaned against Grant's shoulder, casting me a quick, triumphant look from under her lashes, though her voice remained soft and seemingly hurt.
"Grant, maybe we shouldn't go to Iceland anymore. After all, that is where you proposed to her. It wouldn't feel right, would it? She is so upset now. You should really stay here and comfort her." She sniffled and turned as if to leave.
But Grant immediately pulled her back into his arms and held her close, murmuring comfortingly, "Of course we are still going. It has always been the place you dreamed of visiting, hasn't it? I will change the tickets right away and we can leave soon. Go check if you have everything packed."
Lila nodded obediently, but not before glancing back at me with a faint, victorious smirk, as if she had already won.
Grant watched me drop to my knees to gather the scattered beads, and let out a long, weary sigh.
"Sella, don't be so petty toward a young girl. I know those beads were important to you, but they are only objects. Is such a thing really worth more than a living person?
"I am taking her away for a few days to calm things down. I will be back before the wedding. By then, I will have Lila move into the villa right across from ours, so she won't bother you anymore. Take this time to think things through properly."
When I finally looked up again, the house was completely silent.
I gathered every bead I could find and placed them carefully inside a small box. Then I picked up my phone and called a moving service.
"Hello, I'd like to book a team to come in half an hour. I am willing to pay extra for immediate service."
- Writer
