Damien looked up, a faint crease forming between his brows.
“I… didn’t mean to overhear,” Jamie said, his voice tightening with emotion. “But I heard what you said. About the ring.”
Jamie placed his hand against his chest, his fingers wrapping around the pendant of his necklace. His eyes glistened, shadowed by memories of a harder time. With practiced precision, he clicked a hidden latch on the back of the ornament—one invisible to the naked eye—and gently removed a small, brilliant stone.
He held it out to Damien, his hand steadying as the light caught the facets. Damien took it, stunned. “Jamie… what’s this?”
Jamie smiled gently, a sad but beautiful light in his eyes. “When I got sick and our finances started draining fast, Maya had no choice but to pawn Mom’s jewelry so we could sur
