Chapter 17
210words
Inside was his mother's heirloom necklace—the one meant for his future wife.
"I'm returning this. I never wore it, so consider it back with its rightful owner."
Joel's expression froze momentarily.
After a long pause, he took the necklace from my outstretched hand.
"I'm sorry about what I said. And about the cake..."
His apology caught me off guard. I waved it away dismissively.
As I turned to leave, he stepped into my path.
"I didn't think you'd actually make that cake. My mother would have loved it. I wish I'd tasted it.
I didn't mean what I said. I've been too caught up in the past.
When my mother died..."
I cut him off calmly.
"I know."
About his mother being the true heiress, how the impostor stole her husband and fortune, driving her to depression and death.
But what did any of that have to do with me?
Maybe it mattered once, but that bridge was burned now.
Joel's face paled, his mouth opening to say more.
I cut him off before he could start.
"You found your real love, right? We're done.
This 'fake' won't bother you anymore."
