The Calm After the Storm

"Emma, you've been stubborn since you were little, and I've put up with it for so long.

"Anna won the prize fair and square. You’re accusing her of stealing your design, but where's your proof? Without evidence, you're just making things up."

"Emma, I swear I didn't copy your design.

"You've never liked me, so when would I even have gotten the chance to touch your computer?"

Feeling upset, Anna just crumbled into Walter's arms.

I whipped around to face Matthias.

My computer was always in the study.

He spent a lot of time there too.

Matthias looked away, his guilt clear.

Was it not obvious what was going on?

"Emma, just look at yourself."

Walter towered over me, all high and mighty.

He flung a bracelet at me, and it clattered to the floor by my feet.

"I can't figure out why I ever liked you."

I was about to snap back at him, but then I saw the necklace Anna was wearing.

My whole body shook with anger when I recognized it.

It was the tulip diamond necklace Mom had left for me.

"Matthias, how could you give her Mom's necklace?"

I pointed at Anna, my eyes blazing.

Matthias bit his lip, looking extremely uncomfortable. "Emma..."

Anna was already crying, trying to take off the necklace.

"I'm so sorry, Emma. I didn't realize it was from your mom. I'll return it right away."

Her tears kept falling.

Matthias could not stand to see her sad. "Anna, keep it. I gave it to you."

He turned to me. "It's just some jewelry. Anna likes it, so she should have it.

"I'll get you an even nicer one, Emma."

My heart felt like it was being sliced open, and my voice shook as I said, "Mom left that to me, Matthias. You can't just decide what to do with it.

"I'd rather destroy it than let that woman's daughter have it!"

Matthias's face turned red with a mix of shame and anger for just a second. "Emma, you shouldn't be so mean to Anna.”