His voice dripped with undisguised favoritism and reproach.
I stared at that face, the face I had once loved down to the marrow of my bones, and felt a dull ache deep in my chest.
I drew a slow breath and forced the sting behind my eyes back down.
My thumb brushed the bare space on my right ring finger where the jade had sat moments ago. The skin was still warm from it.
I didn't explain. I didn't lose my temper.
I lifted my hands, reached behind my neck, and unclasped the Pink Diamond Necklace.
Under the stunned gazes of everyone in the room, I held it out to Olimpia.
"You like it? Then it's yours. I lost my footing just now. I'm sorry."
Domenico went rigid.
A flash of disbelief crossed his eyes, and his brow furrowed deeper than before.
Olimpia froze too. She even forgot to keep crying.
I pulled out a handkerchief, wiped the wine from my hands, then crouched down.
I picked up the shards of glass from the floor one by one, bare-handed, and dropped them into the trash bin nearby.
When I was done, I stood and looked at Domenico.
"My clothes are stained. I'm going upstairs to change."
I turned and walked toward the second floor, my spine perfectly straight.