“I just wanted to bring you something of your mother’s back,” she whispered. “Something that mattered to you.”
The weight of my mistake hit me like a punch. My throat tightened. All the anger, all the accusations—they collapsed into a flood of shame. I broke down right there on the driveway, clutching the necklace while she hugged me carefully, as if I were something fragile.
She hadn’t stolen anything. She’d been fighting all night to return the last piece of my mom to me.
Note: This story is a work of fiction inspired by real events. Names, characters, and details have been altered. Any resemblance is coincidental. The author and publisher disclaim accuracy, liability, and responsibility for interpretations or reliance. All images are for illustration purposes only.
