missed, leaving only a hollow shell of the place she used to know. The house itself was now collateral under the company's as

d, lying down and staring blankly at the ceiling. She kept thinking back

ck satin gown with a delicate strap and 3D white feathers adorning it. One of her gifts that night was a set of jewelry with aquamarine

rine is the birthstone for March, a symbol of youth, health,

tle cake, one that hit her right in the heart. She'd jokingly asked her friend

esn't matter. You're the star today. As lon

family had vanished

austed, but sleep wouldn't come. The events f

armed, telling her to go to the front door. There, she

Group, we're here to inform you that all assets in your family'

"Excuse me, but ther

e official raised his ID and

door. Lena's vision blurred slightly. She forced herself to focus on the paper in front of her-it was

her, but she kept telling herself it was fine. She just needed to call her parents, and they

ng out to the housekeepers, "Did any of you see my

had become fragile, like a glass win

sy glances. After a pause, one of th

neit

them after din

This couldn't be happeni

otsteps was heavy as she made her way there. Privacy and manners no lo

he glass case that held her mother's designer handbags was missing some of the most valuable pieces

feeling like her soul

intrusion, Miss, but we need to begin our work," the lead official said p

hing her parents had left behind was too difficult to take with them. Her parents and

ecalled the official's opening words, "As the

o clarify something. I am not the le

rred legal ownership a month ago. You

, on her birthday, her father had asked her to sign some papers, saying that since she was older, he wanted her more involved in the

g back

aquamarine jewelry set, which was in her name. That was one of the few possessions that wouldn't be se

fter settling final payments for the staff, sh

lled ahead, thinking she'd find either D

a bit her nails until a housekeeper came ou

Are Mr. and Mrs

t as well,

Do you know when they'l

comfortable, her gaze shi

tell them I stopped

ing her expression behind her hair. Back a

rrible. I wish I could be there with you...

pread like wildfire. Lena didn't blame the Wh

iya, is there any chance you could lend me a little mo

ewelry from you. It's too meaningful to you. I'll see

sn't matter. Thank