Chapter 3

The next morning, I had barely reached the airport when I ran into Terry, hauling a stack of Sybilla's luggage.

The two of them came toward me side by side.

"Iris, Terry was worried you'd read too much into things, so he agreed to come to South Island with you. Go on, say thank you."

Terry smiled and clapped Sybilla on the shoulder, explaining to me.

"I just put in for leave. Once the honeymoon's over, I'll take her out to Napa Valley on my own."

I'd waited months for him to take leave and go to South Island with me.

Sybilla only needed five minutes.

Terry went on.

"First thing this morning we rushed over here. Nearly missed it."

He glanced at Sybilla and sighed.

"All her fault. Took three tries to wake her, and then she dragged out breakfast forever."

Sybilla shot him a look.

"That's because you made too much. Sandwiches, chicken soup. You feed me like a pig."

I kept my eyes down and said nothing.

Four years together, and Terry had never once made me breakfast.

He was awful in the mornings, so every day I got everything ready ahead of time.

Then coaxed him out of bed.

So it turned out it wasn't that he couldn't get up.

He just wouldn't get up ten minutes early for me.

When I stayed quiet.

Terry's brows drew together slightly.

"Iris, don't tell me you're actually angry."

"Terry, let's get divorced."

My voice was steady.

"Divorced? Did I upset you, babe?"

Terry blinked, already reaching to smooth it over on instinct.

But Sybilla snorted out a laugh.

"Iris, that's enough. Don't go threatening a dumb mutt like Terry with divorce."

"If he takes it seriously, you'll be crying with nowhere to cry."

"I remember back in college. You chased this guy for a whole year."

"Honestly, I'm impressed. If I hadn't been too proud to lower myself, I never would have..."

Terry's face darkened a shade.

"Iris Henson. You don't joke about divorce, understand?"

"I'm not threatening anyone. I really want to..."

Then Terry's phone rang.

He tapped to answer without noticing it was on speaker.

"Terry, honey, Mom heard you're taking Sybilla out on a trip? Now you take good care of my daughter-in-law-to-be."

"Sybilla, come here and let me see you. Are you wearing that bracelet I mailed you?"

"That was your fifth-birthday gift, twenty years ago, your mother and I picked it out for you together. Even back then I knew you'd be my son's wife."

Sybilla answered sweetly.

She held her jade bracelet up to the camera and gave it a little shake.

The blood drained from my face.

Before the wedding.

Terry had told me his parents were overseas and didn't pay him much attention.

So right up until the wedding was over.

I had never met Owen or Mike, let alone received a gift or a red envelope.

It had all been a lie.

Owen and Mike thought the woman Terry was marrying was Sybilla.

She was the daughter-in-law they truly approved of.

"Mom, we'll talk later..."

Terry looked flustered for a second and hung up.

"Iris, let me explain."

His mouth opened, but he seemed to have no idea how to begin.

"Never mind. I'll say it for you."

Sybilla sighed.

"Iris, don't blame Terry. He did think about introducing you to his parents, but he only tested the waters a little and his mom's heart acted up."

"As the younger ones, we have to think of them more."

I looked at the expensive jade bracelet on her wrist.

My heart went cold all the way through.

Sybilla saw where my eyes had landed, and after a moment's hesitation she said,

"It's fine, Iris. If you like it, just take it. His mom did say it was for the daughter-in-law, after all."

Then she started tugging the bracelet down.

She must have been in too much of a rush. A red ring rose on her pale wrist.

Terry's expression tightened.

"Sybilla, there's no need. What's yours is yours."

"Don't. I don't want it."

I reached out too, pressing down to stop her.

But the bracelet was too slick, and in the tug-of-war it slipped and shattered on the floor.

Sybilla's eyes reddened.

"Iris... I already said I'd give you the bracelet, so what are you making a scene for?"

"My mother passed early. She and his mom picked this out together, in memory of her. How could you break it?"

Halfway through her eyes were wet, and she drew a deep breath.

"Never mind. I won't stoop to arguing with a little girl like you."

But Terry seized my arm, his voice cold.

"She won't argue. But you're going to apologize."

"She's the one who didn't hold it properly."

I answered as calmly as I could.

"Iris Henson. I've spoiled you so much you've turned suspicious and thin-skinned and quick to lose your temper. Isn't that right?"

Terry's face was hard.

Something cold surfaced in those gentle, pretty eyes of his.

I pressed my lips together and shook his hand off.

But instead of easing his grip.

He threw me down to the floor.

In that instant the shards of jade dug into my hands.

They cut a mess of tiny wounds.

"Iris, are you okay?"

Sybilla cried out.

Staring at the countless little beads of blood on my hands.

Terry froze for a second too, his hand reaching out on instinct.

"Let me see. Why are you bleeding..."

The next second, the boarding call sounded.

I paid them no attention and walked straight onto the plane.