She lowered her lashes, dabbing at her tears with the meekness of a saint. "Honey, I love you too much. I can't stand watching you fight with your mother over me. Just marry someone she approves of and live a good life. Don't worry about me. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."
There was an old saying: a woman's tears, wielded just right, could break any man's resolve.
A pushover like James never stood a chance against a master manipulator like Meryl.
The next second, he grabbed the gold locket and hurled it to the ground with all his strength. His eyes bulged with rage as he whipped around and screamed at me.
"Is that what you want, Mom? You won't stop until you've driven Meryl away? If anything—anything—happens to her or the baby, you're a murderer! I will never forgive you for the rest of my life!"
James stormed off with Meryl on his arm, still ranting about how I always played favorites.
Why should that precious heirloom locket go only to Madge, and not to him?
He'd conveniently forgotten that the family had always treated both children equally.
He'd had an identical locket once, years ago.
A gift from their grandmother.