Chapter 2: The Silver Chain
In the back of the ambulance, the paramedics wrapped a blanket around Maya. Arthur sat beside her, his jaw tight with barely contained fury. "Why were you even there, Maya?" he asked gently. Maya opened her palm, revealing the cheap-looking silver chain. "It’s mom’s," she said softly. "The clasp broke. That store... it’s where he bought it for her, before you made your fortune. I just went in to ask if they could repair the original clasp."
Arthur’s eyes softened as he looked at the necklace. It was a relic from their days of poverty, worth nothing in dollars but everything in memory. Victoria had seen a girl in a simple dress holding jewelry and assumed the worst. She had pushed Maya, humiliated her, and called her disgusting. Arthur clenched his fists. The world respected money, but he was about to teach them the terrifying cost of lacking humanity.
