I pushed the door open, calling, “Moira? I’m home!” My voice echoed through the quiet house. It was weird.
Usually, Moira was in the kitchen, humming or talking on the phone. I dropped my bag and walked into the living room. My eyes landed on the display shelf and froze.
The spot where Grandma’s ring had always been was empty. The very ring with our family’s diamond, meant for me to wear when I married Roland after college, was gone. My stomach sank.
“Moira!” I called louder, panic rising in my chest. She came rushing down the stairs, her face pale. “Oh, sweetheart, you’re home,” she said quickly, almost nervously.
“Where’s the ring?” I asked, pointing to the empty shelf. She hesitated, her hands twisting together. “I… I needed to talk to you about that.”
“Talk to me about what?” I demanded.
“Moira, where’s Grandma’s ring?”
Her eyes darted away. “I sold it,” she blurted. My heart stopped.
“You what?”
“Sweetheart, listen to me,” she started, stepping closer. “No!” I shouted. “You sold Grandma’s ring?
The one she left to me? Why?”
She flinched. “It’s not what you think.
Leif—he needed some capital for his new business idea, and—”
After Dad left a few years ago, Moira went through a series of guys who were more like passing storms than partners. But then she met him. “You sold my ring for Leif?” My voice cracked.
I felt like the ground had disappeared under me. “That ring wasn’t just some piece of jewelry. It was Grandma’s.
It was mine.”
“Listen,” Moira said, her voice trembling, “I know you’re upset, but you have to understand. Leif’s idea is solid. He just needed a little push to get started.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me.
“Moira, Grandma gave me that ring for a reason. She wanted me to have it when I marry Roland. It’s not just some shiny thing to pawn off for a quick buck.”
Her expression softened, but she still looked determined.
“I know it meant a lot to you, but Leif promised he’d pay it back once his business takes off. And then, sweetheart, we’ll have something even better. The shop across the street took it in for—”
“Something better?” I interrupted.
“There is nothing better than that ring. It’s family. It’s love.
You’ve let some guy trick you into throwing it all away.”
Moira’s eyes flashed. “Trick me? Is that what you think?
I’m trying to build a future for us—for you too!”
“For me?” I laughed bitterly. “You think Leif’s half-baked ideas are going to help me? Moira, you don’t even know if he’s telling the truth.”
“He showed me the plans,” she argued.
“He’s got investors lined up—”
I held up my hand. “Stop. Just stop.
You sold my heirloom, Moira. And for what? A dream Leif made up to get you to open your wallet?”
“It wasn’t like that,” she whispered.
Tears burned my eyes. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is the ring is gone.
It’s gone, Moira!”
She looked down, biting her lip. “I thought you’d understand,” she said softly. “Understand?” I shook my head.
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