Chapter 6

Anya POV

I knelt on the floor.

"Jacob, if you're calling me a thief, let the police decide. That necklace is worth a fortune. If I stole it, that's years in prison. But if I didn't..."

I looked at the shredded manuscripts scattered around me.

"Then I'm want justice."

"Hello, 911? I'd like to report a break-in. A violent search. Destruction of property. And...a false accusation."

Half an hour later, the police arrived.

Jacob stood by the window, his face ashen, while Celeste hid behind him, looking flustered.

"Did you call this in?" The older officer looked at the mess on the floor, his brows tightly knit.

I knelt on the ground, pointing at the two of them.

"They falsely accused me of stealing a necklace worth millions, forcibly searched my belongings, destroyed my mother's relics."

"Millions?" The officer's expression turned serious.

"Has the necklace been found?"

"No."

"I request a search of the accuser, Celeste's, personal belongings as well. After all, she's not exactly a stranger to deception."

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Celeste clutched Jacob's arm tightly.

"Jacob, look at her."

The female officer, in a no-nonsense manner, held out her hand.

"Miss Monroe, please cooperate."

Jacob frowned, stepping in front.

"Celeste is the victim, and she's a renowned pianist; she couldn't possibly do something like this."

"Everyone is equal before the law. If you don't cooperate, we have the right to take you to the station for questioning."

Jacob paused, then stepped aside, quietly reassuring Celeste.

"It's fine, just let them take a look."

Celeste's face went pale, and she reluctantly handed over her purse.

The female officer, wearing gloves, took out the contents one by one.

Makeup, perfume, wallet... Finally, her finger explored a hidden zippered compartment at the bottom of the bag.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on her hand.

The next second, the female officer pulled her hand out.

That dazzling deep blue glow was strikingly bright under the fluorescent lights.

It was the missing blue diamond necklace.

Celeste's face instantly drained of all color, and tears gushed from her eyes.

"How could it be here? I clearly remember putting it in the box!"

She frantically grabbed Jacob's arm, her face streaming with tears.

"Jacob, I honestly don't know... Did I just put it in there too hastily yesterday and forget? I've been disoriented since the earthquake; I often can't remember things... I truly didn't mean to, I thought it was stolen..."

"It's okay, it's good that it's found."

He pulled Celeste into his arms, gently patting her back.

"Don't cry, no one blames you."

No one blames her?

I sat amidst the chaos, listening to his forgiveness, feeling as if my blood had frozen in my veins.

The police officer watched the scene with a speechless expression.

"Since it was a misunderstanding, and the necklace has been found, then the matter of property damage..."

"We'll settle out of court," Jacob immediately interrupted, handing over his business card.

"I'm Jacob from Thorne Enterprises; we'll handle this internally."

The police looked at me.

"Ma'am, what's your opinion?"

I hadn't even spoken yet when Jacob's warning and intimidating gaze swept over me.

What could I, in my current state, do to fight Thorne Enterprises?

"Settle out of court."

I squeezed out those two words through gritted teeth.

After the police left, the hospital room door closed again.

Celeste was still sobbing her apologies.

"I'm sorry, I really forgot... I made you suffer, I didn't mean to..."

"Get out."

I said, looking down.

"What did you say?" Jacob frowned.

"I said, get out!" I suddenly looked up, grabbing a pillow and flinging it hard.

"Take your dirty things and get out! Now! Immediately!"

He opened his mouth.

"Anya, Celeste didn't mean to..."

"Just calm down. I'll compensate you for the damaged items at full value."

With that, he escorted Celeste and strode out.

That evening, I sat alone in the emptied room, piecing my mother's manuscripts back together, fragment by careful fragment.

My phone buzzed.

A bank transfer notification.

Your account has been credited: $5,000,000.00 USD. Memo: Restoration fee.

Jacob's text followed seconds later.

"Compensation. Five million should cover the best restorers. Celeste was just frightened. She didn't mean to set you up. Let it go. Don't make this bigger than it is."

Five million.

So that was the price. For my mother's life's work, my dignity, and whatever was left of my innocence.

And this wasn't even an apology. It was a transaction. A payment to cover Celeste's lie. A fee for my silence.

A laugh tore out of me. Hot, heavy tears hit the phone screen.

Jacob.

I don't love you anymore.