Chapter 21: The Necklace
Later, Anne promises Daphne that she will live a happy life and that everything Daphne worries about will never happen. Seeing that Parson initially treated her sister well, Daphne eventually let down her guard.
But who could have predicted that hearts change so quickly? Some things aren’t a matter of being blind to the truth—sometimes, people are just too good at disguising themselves from the start.
Anne thought about everything she had given over the years. For the sake of this family, she had worked from dawn till dusk, exhausting herself to the point where she could barely straighten her back.
Every morning before dawn, she would quietly get out of bed, afraid to wake her sleeping family. She tiptoed into the kitchen and prepared breakfast for everyone.
After breakfast, she took the kids to school, cleaned the house, did the laundry, cooked meals—there was always an endless list of chores. She was like a spinning top, never stopping.
Once the kids got home, she helped them with their homework. Only after they went to bed did she finally have a moment to breathe, but even then, she had to iron Parson’s clothes.
Day after day, year after year, she never complained. She poured all her energy into this family. And yet, this was what she got in return.
Back in college, she was a top student at a prestigious university, excelling academically and admired by many.
She wasn’t just beautiful—she had a sharp mind as well. Like-minded friends and countless admirers had surrounded her…
At what point did she give it all up?
For the sake of her family, she sacrificed her promising career and abandoned her dreams and ambitions.
And what did she get in return? A husband who resented her, who berated and abused her. In-laws who constantly found fault with her.
It was as if she had become an unwanted burden in her home.
She had lost.
Anne silently told herself this.
Seeing her remain silent, her mother-in-law and sister-in-law continued to pile on insults. Their sharp, venomous words were like daggers, stabbing into her heart individually.
“Look at what she bought! Is this even edible?”
Her mother-in-law wrinkled her nose in disgust and jabbed a finger at the grocery bag on the floor.
“I knew it! We’re giving her too much money for household expenses. She’s probably sneaking it away for herself! Or maybe she’s got someone else on the side?”
Her sister-in-law folded her arms and sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“You really should keep an eye on her. Marrying a college graduate—what good did it do you? She’s useless at running a household. You’d have been better off with someone uneducated. At least that would’ve been less trouble.”
Her mother-in-law chimed in, “And look at her now! Fat as a pig. Taking her out in public is embarrassing. Standing next to her, even your image suffers.”
They went back and forth, ignoring Anne’s feelings as if she were some criminal on trial.
Parson listened to his mother and sister, his gaze fixed on the disheveled Anne before him. Disappointment filled his heart.
Once upon a time, Anne was like a proud princess in his eyes. He earned only half of what she did then and worked tirelessly to win her.
He meticulously planned every date, taking her to her favorite food and watching movies she adored. He treated her with the utmost care, afraid of upsetting her.
She had been stunning, confident, turning heads wherever she went. She had countless admirers. Yet, through his persistence and tenderness, he had finally won her heart.
But now, everything was different.
It was as if their roles had reversed.
Time had worn Anne down. She had given too much to this family, losing her youthful glow and figure. Meanwhile, Parson had flourished in his career, and his mindset had changed. The gap between them widened with each passing day. The love they once had had long been eroded by the mundanities of life.
Anne hesitated for a long time, wanting to call her sister, Daphne. But then she remembered—Daphne was finally in a happy relationship, lost in the bliss of love. Calling her now would only ruin her happiness.
So instead, she bit down hard on her arm, muffling her sobs. Her teeth sank deep into her skin, leaving behind raw, red marks. She fought to suppress the agony inside her, but the pain refused to leave. It clung to her like a shadow.
She knew that Parson’s heart was no longer in this home. Perhaps he had already found someone else outside.
Seeing Anne surrendering, not even attempting to argue back, Parson’s father, who had been silent the whole time, finally stepped forward. He grabbed his wife and daughter by the arms, dragging them back into the living room.
“That’s enough. Stop stirring up trouble. Marriage isn’t easy—let them handle their issues. Let’s go. Since Anne doesn’t want to cook tonight, we’ll eat out as a family. It’s just one meal.”
With that, Parson’s family bustled out of the house, leaving Anne alone in the chaos they had left behind.
She looked around at the mess—
Toys scattered across the floor, clothes piled haphazardly on the couch, snack wrappers littering the dining table.
Everything was a mess.
Just like her heart.
Anne quietly cleaned the house, bending down to pick up the toys individually and placing them back in their bins.
She folded the clothes neatly and wiped down the dining table, her movements slow and mechanical.
Once everything was in order, she ushered the children to their rooms. Seeing the fear in their eyes, her heart ached. She gently stroked their heads.
“Don’t be scared,” she whispered. “Go to sleep. Mommy’s here.”
As their breathing evened out, Anne finally took in her surroundings.
How unfamiliar this place felt.
She had chosen every piece of furniture, painting, and vase.
Yet today, she realized—this was not her home.
It was a cage.
She wondered if she left now, could she support her children alone?
She had been cut off from the professional world for too long. The knowledge she once possessed had faded with time. Finding a job again would not be easy.
She had no specialized skills or recent work experience, and the job market was more competitive than ever. Fear and helplessness clawed at her chest.
But staying in this house was suffocating. Every day, she endured her husband’s indifference, her in-laws’ cruelty.
How much longer could she endure?
Desperate, Anne gathered the gold and silver jewelry she had bought years ago. She didn’t have much money now, but back in her single years, she had at least bought herself a few pieces.
She opened an old jewelry box. The once-lustrous pieces had lost their shine.
Among them was the very first gift Parson had ever given her—a simple silver necklace.
It wasn’t worth much, but the memories were still vivid.
And now, those memories were all she had left.
If she sold them secondhand, she might be able to earn a few thousand to live on for a while.
As she searched further, she came across something in her husband’s drawer—
A brand-new Van Cleef & Arpels necklace.