In the next instant, he opened his fingers. The bracelet slipped from his hand, hit the floor, and shattered into pieces.
Something inside me shattered with it.
"You broke it. You're dead."
My fist connected with his face.
He went down with the punch, crumpling to the ground in a heap that looked far too deliberate.
And of course, that was the exact moment Eve came rushing in.
She ran straight to Gabriel's side, her voice thick with concern.
"Gabriel, are you okay?!"
He looked up at her, the picture of wounded innocence.
"Eve, I remember you said this was Lowell's mother's keepsake. I just wanted to return the bracelet so he could have something to remember her by. But he accused me of stealing it and tried to beat me to death."
"He even printed out another divorce agreement. He said if I ever come near you again, he'll divorce you!"
"Maybe I should just resign. I don't want him coming after me."
Eve's face flushed with anger. She whipped around to face me.
"Lowell, I've had it with you!"
"I just gave the bracelet to Gabriel for safekeeping. He was kind enough to return it so you could remember your mother, and this is how you repay him? By slandering him?"