He held Anya protectively in his arms, glaring at me. “What the hell are you doing?!”
Anya flinched, her eyes filling with tears. “Mandy, I’m sorry… I just thought the necklace had an artistic feel. I didn’t mean to take it. I’ll give it back right now…”
She started to remove it, but Erving stopped her hand.
“No need.” He frowned at me, irritation flashing in his eyes, tinged with contempt. “It’s just a necklace. The diamond ones I’ve bought you cost far more than this. Mandy, do you really have to act so greedy and fight with Anya over it?”
Then, he remembered the divorce papers earlier that morning, his tone grew even colder. “I already signed your settlement. If the money’s not enough, just say so. Now, stop embarrassing yourself here.”
I stood there frozen, tears spilling down uncontrollably.
In the past, he would’ve dropped everything to comfort me. But now, he didn’t even glance my way.
He just took Anya’s hand and led her upstairs.
His final words were brutal. “Don’t be afraid. With me here, she won’t dare do anything.”
The vast living room felt unbearably empty.
From upstairs came that familiar gentle coaxing voice of his, only this time, the one he was comforting wasn’t me.