Before I could move, Eliana was already at his side, her hand shoved me hard, and I staggered backward, my palm pressing down on jagged shards. Blood welled instantly, warm and slick.
“Louis!” Eliana’s arm supported the trembling Jovan. “What are you doing?”
Leaning against her, Jovan’s voice quivered. “It’s all my fault… I shouldn’t have appeared before Louis and offended his eyes.”
“He… he said I’m lowborn…”
“Apologize.” Eliana’s tone was cold, the command in her voice brooking no refusal.
I clenched my bleeding hand. “Why should I?”
In an instant, she snatched the diamond pendant from my neck, the only keepsake my grandmother had left me.
“No!” I lunged forward, desperate to grab it.
The pendant struck the floor, splintering into pieces before my eyes.
“Next time,” she said, helping Jovan to his feet and looking down at me from above, “it won’t be this simple.”
I clenched my fists.
For the next week, the entertainment headlines were flooded with photos of Eliana shopping arm in arm with Jovan.
I acted as though I had never seen them.
Late one night, as I worked overtime in my office, the door suddenly burst open with a violent kick.