Camilla handed over the necklace like it burned her skin.
Her fingers lingered on the box for a second too long, knuckles white, jaw tight. The smile she forced onto her face didn't reach her eyes. Every stiff movement screamed what she refused to say out loud.
Normally, I wouldn't take something that belonged to someone else. Especially not something so small. Jewelry meant nothing to me.
But after everything she had done after the long, restless night she had dragged me through I didn't stop the small smile that curved my lips as I accepted it from her.
"Thanks for the gift," I said lightly.
"You're welcome," she replied, teeth clenched so hard it was almost painful to watch.
Her anger rolled off her in heavy waves. Sharp. Bitter. It crawled under my skin, stirring something deep and restless inside me. And instead of backing away from it, I welcomed it.
