“No! Stop!” I screamed, my voice hoarse with desperation, and lunged toward the window, ready to jump after it.
Jameson was quicker. He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist, pulling me back before I could throw myself out.
Frantic, I shoved him aside and bolted downstairs, the sound of the pendant hitting water echoing in my mind.
Without hesitation, I dove headfirst into the freezing swimming pool.
The cold winter night offered no light; everything was shrouded in darkness. I plunged into the icy water, fumbling blindly as I searched.
Finally, my fingers grazed something sharp. Hope surged through me as I grabbed it. By the faint light, I saw it—it was my jade pendant.
But it was broken.
In the dead of winter, the freezing water clung to my skin, mocking my misery.
Clutching the shattered pendant to my chest, I collapsed into sobs, unable to contain the overwhelming despair.
Jameson arrived moments later, pulling me out of the water in a panic.
My entire body was trembling, my lips purple with cold, but my eyes burned with hatred.
I pushed him away, carefully placed the broken pendant aside, then stormed toward Yvette and slapped her hard across the face.