Chapter 1 - The Weight of a Heart Pendant
The silver clasp unlatched with a silent, metallic click against Veronica’s neck.
Her wavy dark brown hair swayed slightly as she reached down into the small shadow beneath the cream sofa.
Six-year-old Mia sat on the soft rug, her small fingers struggling with the zipper of her pink canvas backpack.
Her light blue dress was neatly ironed, her pink hair clip holding back her dark bangs.
Veronica’s hand slipped into the open front pocket of the pink bag.
The cold silver heart pendant slid into the soft polyester fabric without making a single sound.
Three seconds passed.
Veronica stepped back two full paces, her beige trousers rustling against the edge of the glass coffee table.
Her hand plunged into the pink backpack, her fingers wrapping around the chain, and pulled it upward into the bright daylight.
"You stole my necklace!"
The screech cut through the quiet living room like shattered glass.
Mia flinched, her small shoulders jumping toward her ears.
May you like
Her pink hair clip slid sideways in her hair as her large brown eyes stared up at the shining silver heart swinging in the air.
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