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The sound cut through the quiet conversations. Heads turned. She walked straight toward me with her chin raised and her heels clicking against the hardwood floor.
« I think it’s time you gave me the ring, » she said, her voice sharp enough to silence the entire room.
I stared at her. « Excuse me? »
« Your mom promised it to me, » she added confidently. « I’m her only son’s wife. It belongs to me. »
For a second, I could not breathe.
That was a lie. Mom hadn’t spoken in weeks.
The room went completely still. People froze mid-conversation. My cousin Iris lowered her cup. Aunt Marcy’s mouth fell open. Someone near the fireplace whispered, « At the funeral? Seriously? »
Even my brother avoided eye contact.
« Brian? » I said quietly.
He rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the floor. « Harper, maybe we should talk about this later. »
Chloe let out a small, humorless laugh. « There’s nothing to talk about. Your mom knew I’d carry the family name forward. She wanted me to have it. »
My hands curled at my sides.
Every part of me wanted to scream. I wanted to tell her she had no right to stand in my mother’s house, beside my mother’s flowers, surrounded by my mother’s grieving friends, and lie about a promise my mother could no longer deny.
But I had spent enough nights beside Mom to learn something about silence.
Sometimes silence was not weakness.
Sometimes it was waiting.
Chloe held out her hand, smirking. « Don’t make this ugly, Harper. »
But I was ready.
I reached into my pocket, pulled out the black velvet box, and placed it into her hand.
She snatched it instantly, her eyes lighting up with greed, completely unaware of what was waiting for her inside.
Chloe’s fingers closed around the velvet box like it was a prize she had won instead of something pulled from the ashes of our grief.
For one second, nobody moved.
Then she lifted her chin and looked around the room, almost daring anyone to challenge her. « Thank you, » she said, though her tone held no gratitude. « At least someone here understands what your mother wanted. »
My stomach tightened, but I stayed still.