At the mention of her mother, Maya finally understood why the pendant had seemed so familiar.
A memory resurfaced in her mind.
She had seen her mother wear it before.
Whenever there was something worth celebrating—a birthday, an anniversary, a graduation, or one of hers or Jaime’s school events—Malia would often wear that very pendant.
As the memories came flooding back, a thought quietly crossed Maya’s mind.
Perhaps her mother had worn it for the same reason Dahlia wore hers now.
Because on the days that mattered most, she wanted to feel as though her best friend was right there beside her.
Maya let her eyes rest on the pendant for another moment before looking back at Dahlia.
“Is that why… last night…”
Her voice trailed off before she could finish.
Dahlia stepped closer and gen
