Chapter 2 Just a Necklace

After hanging up with Andrew, Cheryl sat in her car for a long time.

If, during this month, Zachary could turn back—even just a little.

She gave a bitter smile and shook her head.

She knew Zachary too well. He wouldn't.

But she still wanted to wait these thirty days.

Not for him. For herself.

After thirty days, she could finally let go completely, leave cleanly, without any regrets.

Cheryl started the car. By the time she got home, it was already nine o'clock.

She pushed open the door to complete darkness. Unsurprisingly, Zachary hadn't come home.

She walked to the study and took out the divorce papers Zachary had thrown at her a year ago.

The pages had yellowed. She'd shoved them into the drawer without even looking—as if ignoring them meant nothing had happened.

Cheryl blinked. Her fingertip traced over Zachary's signature.

Sharp strokes, just like him—cold and absolute.

She held back, barely, before finally signing her own name on the divorce agreement.

She put the papers back in the drawer and closed it.

She'd give them to him on the day she left. She didn't want to fight anymore—there was no point.

She'd fought enough these past five years. Fought until even she found it meaningless.

Over the next few days, Cheryl handled work transitions during the day and packed at night.

On the third day, she pulled a box from the back of her closet. Inside was a necklace—the pendant formed from their intertwined initials.

Z and C, wound together like vines around a tree.

Zachary had designed it himself for their first anniversary.

He'd stayed up for nights on end, redrawing the design over and over.

Once, she'd woken at midnight to find the study light still on. He'd fallen asleep at his desk, a half-finished sketch under his hand.

The next day when he gave her the finished piece, dark circles shadowed his eyes.

"This is one of a kind. Only for you," he'd said. Cheryl had cried.

She'd thought that was forever.

But now?

Cheryl's chest tightened, aching. She set the necklace on the nightstand.

She'd worn it for four years. The chain was worn now. Tomorrow she'd have it cleaned, then take it with her—after all, it was the only keepsake he'd left her.

The next afternoon, Cheryl went to the mall to pick up the necklace.

The jewelry store clerk looked uncomfortable. "Ms. Mitchell, about your necklace... Mr. Francis just came and took it."

Cheryl froze. "Took it?"

"Yes. Mr. Francis said you hadn't been wearing it much lately, that leaving it here was wasteful, so he took it." The clerk watched her face carefully. "He said he was giving it to a friend."

Cheryl's grip on her purse strap tightened.

She said nothing. Just turned and walked out.

Across the way was another jewelry store. Cheryl was about to leave when a familiar figure caught her eye.

Zachary stood at the counter. Clinging to his arm was Jasmine.

Around Jasmine's neck was that necklace—her necklace!

Jasmine tilted her head at the mirror. "Zachary, does this necklace look good? I think it's a bit outdated."

Zachary glanced at it. "If you don't like it, get another one."

"But this is the first gift you gave me. I want to keep it." Jasmine tugged his arm playfully. "But what do Z and C mean? Doesn't your name start with F?"

Zachary paused, his expression uncomfortable. "Just a random design. Doesn't mean anything."

Cheryl stood in the doorway, eyes reddening.

Z and C—her name and his. Now that necklace hung around another woman's neck, dismissed as meaningless.

Jasmine looked up and spotted her.

"Cheryl?" She froze, instinctively covering the necklace. "What are you doing here?"

Zachary turned. Seeing Cheryl, he frowned.

Cheryl's gaze locked on the necklace. Her voice was hoarse. "That's my necklace."

Jasmine immediately ducked behind Zachary. "Zachary, I didn't know it was Cheryl's, I really didn't. Should I give it back?"

She moved to unclasp it, her movements frantic.

"Don't bother." Zachary stopped her hand, then looked at Cheryl. "It's just a necklace. Is this really necessary?"

Cheryl couldn't believe it. "You designed that yourself."

"And it wasn't even that good." Zachary scoffed. "She likes it, so I gave it to her. If you want one, I'll get you another."

Get another.

Cheryl found the words absurd.

This was one of a kind. He'd stayed up night after night drawing it, stroke by stroke.

Now he spoke of it so casually, as if it were some trinket he could just replace.

Cheryl took a deep breath. "Zachary, cheating is one thing. But you had to give her this too?"

She knew she shouldn't care. But she couldn't help it.

This was her last keepsake.

They had so little left. She'd deleted photos, thrown out gifts, taken off her ring.

Only this necklace remained. She'd never had the heart to discard it—it was the only thing he'd ever put real effort into.

Now even that was gone.

Zachary looked at her reddening eyes, his expression impatient. "Cheryl, enough. I gave you the title of Mrs. Francis. I haven't forced you to divorce. What more do you want?"

His voice turned icy. "You want me to keep saying I love you when I don't, just to satisfy you?"

Tears pooled in Cheryl's eyes. "I never asked you to say you loved me."

"Then what is this about?" Zachary's brow furrowed in irritation. "It's just a necklace. If you want one, I'll get you another. Problem solved."

"It's not the same." Cheryl shook her head. "You know it's not the same!"

Jasmine peeked out timidly. "Cheryl, please don't be angry. I really didn't know it was yours. I'll take it off right now."

She fumbled with the clasp, her nails scratching a red mark on her neck. She cried out in pain.

Zachary stopped her hand. "Don't take it off."

Then he looked at Cheryl with disgust. "Look what you've done to her."

Cheryl stared at him, suddenly struck by the absurdity.

Of course. Once a man's heart changed, everything from before turned to dust. Only she kept loving deeper.

Fine. She was leaving anyway. So many years had passed—what were twenty more days?

But when she opened her eyes, Jasmine had already removed the necklace, holding it out in her palm. "Cheryl, here. I'm sorry."

The next second, she dropped it on the floor. The Z and C split apart.

"Oops, I—I didn't mean to. Cheryl, you're so generous, you won't be mad at me, will you?"

Cheryl stared at the broken necklace on the floor, her mind buzzing.

She couldn't control herself anymore. She raised her hand and slapped Jasmine across the face.

Jasmine clutched her cheek, completely stunned.

Zachary's expression darkened instantly. He grabbed Cheryl's wrist. "Have you lost your mind?"

Cheryl's eyes were bloodshot. "Doesn't she deserve it?"

Zachary's gaze turned menacing. "Cheryl, apologize. Now."

"I won't apologize."

"Cheryl!" His voice dropped dangerously low. "If you don't apologize, forget about going to Dream Isle with me."

Cheryl froze.

Dream Isle.

The place she'd mentioned so many times wanting to visit. He knew what it meant to her. Now he was using it as leverage.

Suddenly, she found it laughable.

"Fine." She pulled her lips into a smile. "Then I won't go."

She yanked her wrist free, turned, and walked away.

Jasmine tugged at Zachary's sleeve. "Zachary, don't blame Cheryl. It's my fault. I shouldn't have worn her necklace."

Zachary watched Cheryl's retreating figure, inexplicably irritated. "Stop crying. This has nothing to do with you."

Jasmine pulled at his sleeve again. "Zachary, you should go after her. She must be so upset. This is all my fault."

"No need." His voice was sharp with annoyance. "This is just what she does. Makes mountains out of molehills."

Jasmine sniffled. "But she must be heartbroken."

"Heartbroken over what?" Zachary scoffed. "I've never mistreated her."

Even as he spoke, his gaze drifted involuntarily toward the door.

Cheryl was already gone. Not even her silhouette remained.

He couldn't name the feeling in his chest. Just irritation—vague, indefinable irritation.

Jasmine said, "Cheryl must care about you so much. That's why she's angry. She's just trying to get your attention."

Zachary said nothing.

He thought Jasmine was right. Cheryl was definitely trying to get his attention. Definitely.

Without him, she couldn't survive.

That's what Zachary believed.