I had guarded those bangles with my life. Even in my darkest moments, I'd protected them.
Now, those lustrous bands had been resized. Inside, a new name was etched: Stella Delgado.
To thunderous applause, he solemnly slid them onto Stella's slender wrists.
"Congratulations, my little princess. Your wish is granted."
I didn't remember leaving. I only became aware of myself again when my phone buzzed incessantly.
I saw you at The Regent, sis.
Did you get a good look? The bangles are mine. And so is Uncle Sebastian.
You looked like a stray dog. Pathetic.
Why don't you just die? Save us the trouble. Hee hee.
Oh, and I had Uncle prepare a "birthday surprise" for you. Enjoy.
I wandered the freezing streets like a ghost, numb to the cold.
Night had fallen by the time I returned to my dilapidated apartment block. That was when I realized what Stella meant by "surprise."
My front door stood wide open.
The apartment was a wreck, as if a storm had torn through it.
Sebastian was on his knees, hands twisted behind his back. His pristine military uniform was smeared with dust.
He struggled against his captors, veins bulging along his neck.