Chapter 9 — An Apology Amidst the Tears
Beatrice stood frozen beside the mahogany vanity.
She looked down at the soft luster of the pearls resting in her son’s open palm.
Her stern expression crumbled entirely.
The sharp lines around her mouth softened into deep, aching regret.
Beatrice turned slowly to face her granddaughter sitting at the desk.
Chloe looked up, her eyes still red and swollen from crying.
I was wrong, Chloe.
Beatrice’s voice dropped to a low, trembling whisper.
I let my temper and my panic get the better of me.
Beatrice stepped across the small gap between the desk and the vanity.
She dropped to her knees right in front of Chloe’s chair.
Before the young girl could pull away, Beatrice reached out and pulled her into a tight, desperate embrace.
I am so sorry, sweetheart.
Beatrice buried her face against Chloe’s shoulder.
I accused you of something terrible without stopping to think.
Chloe sat stiffly for a brief second.
Then the tension melted out of her shoulders.
She wrapped her arms around her grandmother’s back and let out a long, shaky breath.
It hurts when you don’t trust me, Grandma.
I know, Beatrice murmured, pressing a soft kiss to Chloe’s hair.
I was foolish.
I saw the empty box and my mind just jumped to the worst possible conclusion.
I never should have doubted you.
Robert watched the reconciliation unfold from the center of the bedroom.
A quiet smile touched the corners of his mouth.
He looked down at the vintage velvet-lined box still resting open on the vanity.
Reaching out, he carefully picked up the gleaming string of pearls.
He slid the necklace back inside the square velvet slot where it belonged.
Then he gently pressed down on the worn brass hinge of the lid to test the repair one last time before securing the clasp.