He Gave My Heirloom To His First Love

Rafael let out a dry laugh, hiding a private little thrill. He had a hunch Alora was bluffing—using her resignation as a power play. He, better than anyone, knew how badly she wanted to be his personal secretary. In the past, she’d moved heaven and earth to win his favor for that role. If he actually accepted her resignation, she’d be the one hurting, not him.

Rafael decided she needed a reality check. She’d crossed the line this time. “Process her resignation,” he told Jackie, his assistant. “And when you do, make sure she knows—if she walks out, she doesn’t get to come back.”

Jackie winced, not liking the idea of delivering a message that harsh. He thought about telling Rafael that Alora seemed serious this time, that she probably wasn’t coming back. But one look at Rafael’s stone-cold expression, and the words died in his throat. He nodded and got to work finalizing her resignation paperwork.

Once Jackie signed off, Alora made quick work of the formalities. Back at her hotel, her phone buzzed almost immediately: “Meet me at the Cranberry Lounge, room 8808.”

The Cranberry Lounge was Rafael’s favorite spot for socializing, but after the breakup, Alora wanted nothing to do with him. She was about to type out a refusal when another message came in: “If you want your parents’ locket back, be here in thirty minutes.”

Desperate to get back the keepsake from her parents, Alora didn’t waste a second getting to the Cranberry Lounge.

When she stepped into the dimly lit private room, Alora spotted Rafael on a plush wine-red leather sofa, Tessa tucked comfortably beside him. Tessa’s chin was tilted up just enough to show off her usual pride and charm. Rafael hovered over her protectively, every gesture dripping with care.

The sight stung, a sharp ache in her chest, but she forced herself to focus on why she was there. She pushed down the bitterness and walked in.

“Apologize to Tessa!” Rafael’s voice cut through the room as he slammed his glass onto the floor near Alora’s feet. “How dare you send thugs after her to steal that locket? If Patrick hadn’t been there, who knows what those lowlifes would’ve done!”

His friends were quick to pile on. “Alora, that was low!” one snapped. “Jealousy doesn’t give you the right to go after her!” another added. “Apologize to Tessa, and maybe Rafael will forgive you,” a third said, calling her “Tess” with a warmth Alora had never been shown.

Alora stood there, all the color drained from her face. She had loved Rafael so much, tried so hard to fit into his circle. And yet, after all those years, none of them had ever shown her that kind of warmth. None of them had ever treated her as one of their own.

She used to think their rough, careless treatment of her was just part of their personalities. But now, hearing the affection in their voices for Tessa, she realized they were only mirroring Rafael. To them, she wasn’t worth the effort.

Rafael didn’t even try to hide his favoritism. He lifted Tessa up despite her past betrayal. Everyone knew she’d walked away from him four years ago, and still they worshipped her.

“Apologize to Tessa, Alora!” Rafael’s words sliced through her thoughts and dragged her back to reality.

Alora held her ground. “I never sent anyone after Tessa! I—” she tried to explain, but Rafael cut her off. “Those thugs said you sent them. Tessa would never lie!”

Alora almost laughed at how absurd it was. So Tessa was the gold standard of truth, and she was the liar? After four years together, she’d hoped Rafael would at least know her character, even if his heart belonged to Tessa. But with one sentence, he’d convicted her without a second thought.

“I didn’t do anything wrong, and I won’t apologize to Tessa!” Alora said firmly. She hated the misunderstanding, but more than that, her heart was turning cold with grief. “If an accusation is proof, what if I said Tessa was a murderer—should she be thrown in jail without evidence? I won’t admit to something I didn’t do. You might as well call the police. Even they need evidence to convict, and Tessa’s word isn’t enough!”

“Rafael, I didn’t make anything up…” Tessa’s eyes reddened, her icy demeanor giving way to a fragile, vulnerable facade, expertly crafted to pull at everyone’s heartstrings.

Rafael’s patience snapped. He waved the locket Alora was desperate for, using it like a leash. “Alora, apologize to Tessa! Or forget about ever getting this locket back!”

Alora didn’t answer right away. Her eyes locked on the locket glinting in Rafael’s hand. Her parents had made it with love—a one-of-a-kind heirloom with intricate gold filigree cradling a rare sapphire.

The sight of it dragged her back to that terrible night four years ago. In the middle of a wild blizzard, she had shielded Rafael from his scheming half brother. She’d taken two stab wounds for him, holding on until the police arrived.

In the chaos, her locket had been stolen. She had lost it saving Rafael. Even if he didn’t love her the way she loved him, even if his heart belonged to Tessa, once he recovered it, he should have given it back—not used it as a weapon against her.

“Alora, stop this,” Tessa cut in, pretending to be generous, looking down at Alora like she was beneath her. “I won’t press charges over what happened. Let’s just have her finish the drinks on the table as a peace offering, and we can forget about it.”

Rafael hesitated. He knew Alora couldn’t drink alcohol because of her medical history. But he couldn’t bring himself to refuse Tessa, not when she was sick. So he nodded, his expression cold and indifferent.

Alora had told herself it wasn’t worth grieving over a man who didn’t love her. But when he nodded, she couldn’t stop the tears from burning her eyes. He knew she couldn’t drink alcohol.

Back when Rafael was still struggling to build his career, she had been the one to sit through those brutal business dinners for him, drinking on his behalf. One time, she’d nearly died from alcohol poisoning. The doctor had warned her sternly never to drink again.

Back then, he’d held her in his arms, guilt written all over his face, his eyes red with remorse. He promised he’d get strong enough to protect her, to cherish her, to never let her suffer again.

But feelings change fast and without warning. For Tessa, Alora had been made to endure one humiliation after another.

“I’ll drink,” Alora said quietly. She didn’t bother explaining. There was no point justifying herself to someone who’d already decided not to believe her. She just wanted her locket back so she could leave this painful scene behind.

She glanced at the rows of bottles lined up on the table, and her lips curled in self-mockery. “So if I drink all of these, you’ll give me back my locket?”

Rafael’s eyes darkened. He could feel a storm coming. Somehow, the look on Alora’s face was more unbearable than anything. It felt like she was slipping further and further away, but he was sure she’d never really leave.

After all, Tessa’s health was fragile. Even if Alora only wanted her locket back and didn’t mean to hurt Tessa, the fright Tessa had suffered shouldn’t ruin her last days. Resolute, Rafael ordered, “Drink!”

Alora let out a breath, relieved. His demand meant that once she drank enough to satisfy him, it would be over. The table was loaded with scotch. She blinked, hesitating.

But for the locket, she steeled herself and tipped the first bottle down her throat. It burned like liquid fire, each gulp scorching her heart.

To think loving the wrong person could hurt this much—like being flayed alive and having her bones ground to dust. She had to stop loving Rafael. She had to move on.

“Enough!” Rafael snapped when Alora, face flushed and body swaying, reached for another bottle. He couldn’t watch anymore. He snatched it from her hand and smashed it against the floor. “Take your locket and leave!”

“Tessa…” Rafael’s interruption was momentarily forgotten as Tessa—who hated being second to anyone, especially Alora, the woman who had ‘taken’ Rafael while she was married abroad—couldn’t stand it.

That locket meant everything to Alora. There was no way Tessa was going to let it go. Seeing Rafael about to hand it over, she snatched it and clung to him, putting on a show of distress. “Rafael, my stomach hurts… so much… Am I dying?”

She coughed painfully, a small amount of blood spilling from her lips.

“Tessa!” Alarm shot through Rafael at the sight of her blood. The locket was completely forgotten as he scooped her up and rushed out of the room, leaving Alora alone in the dim, empty space.