She arrived home first. Of course she did.
Adam hadn't followed her out. Hadn't offered his coat. Hadn't said a word as she stepped into the car beside Raymond.
Not even a glance. But it didn't hurt the way she thought it would. Not anymore.
She undressed slowly, mechanically. Removed her earrings. Slid off her heels. Wiped off the makeup with practiced grace.
Then her fingers brushed against the necklace.
She paused.
It still sat perfectly at the base of her throat. The delicate chain. The quiet sparkle.
Identical to Natalia's.
Of course it was.
Her heart twisted, but she didn't cry. Not now. Not tonight.
She unfastened it slowly, deliberately—like she was untethering herself from something that never really belonged to her.
And then she walked to his nightstand.
Set the necklace gently in a glass box.
Next to it, a torn page from her journal. Two words in soft, looping ink:
No longer borrowed.
