The little figurines inside—once embracing—were now broken into jagged pieces.
It had been custom-made from a picture of me and Justin. He said it symbolized a love that could never be torn apart.
I dropped to my knees, frantically trying to piece the shards back together.
Blood welled from the cuts on my palms, but I felt nothing.
Rhea came over, covering her mouth in feigned shock.
"Starlene? Was this important to you? I’m so sorry—I didn’t think you had anything valuable, so I told them to clear it away."
"Why don’t I buy you another? How much was it?"
A tear splashed onto my hand as I gave a cold, bitter laugh.
"No need. Once something’s broken, it can never be the same. Even if you replace it, it’s never the same."
Hearing that, Rhea immediately crouched down beside me.
"Let me help you clean it up. Maybe it can still be repaired."
Without thinking, I shoved her hand away.
She staggered backward and fell neatly into Justin’s arms.
Above me, his eyes blazed with anger.
"It’s just a broken glass ornament. Is that worth making such a scene? What if Rhea had been hurt?"
"Rhea, leave it—it’s nothing but a cheap trinket. Just throw it out."