Before I could react, Ava suddenly lowered her head, covering her mouth as a soft, amused laugh slipped past her lips.
"Audrey, do you think this bracelet suits me?"
Suppressing the surge of disgust rising in my throat, I extended my hand.
"Whether it suits you or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that it isn’t yours. Return it to me."
But Ava had no intention of giving it back. She twirled the bracelet between her fingers, admiring its luster before, with a slow, deliberate smile, slipping it onto her wrist.
"Audrey, I really love this bracelet. Why don’t you just let me have it?"
My jaw tightened. That bracelet was precious, so valuable that even I had rarely worn it. And yet, here she was, boldly claiming it as her own.
A slow heat rose in my chest, burning with unspoken fury. My voice turned sharp.
"If you like it so much, buy one yourself. It’s not as if it’s a one-of-a-kind piece."
Without waiting for a response, I reached out to take it back.
Sensing my intent, Ava swiftly pulled her arm away, her lips curling into a sneer.
"At your age, this bracelet would only make you look old-fashioned..."
A sharp sound cut through the room.