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566words
Jane rushed to greet him,linking arms and passing out the fruit he brought to everyone,playing the part of a happy couple.
When she handed me some,my hands trembled.The man who killed me stood before me,and the tangible threat made me shiver with fear.
“Are you okay,Emma?”Jane asked,feigning concern.
I waved it off,saying I was fine.
Tom’s attention shifted to me,spotting the green crystal lucky charm on my desk.His brows furrowed,nostrils flaring as he announced to the room:
“My wife’s pregnancy is a big deal.I hope you’ll all look out for her at work.I’m here today for nothing special—just to check the office for anything that might harm the baby.After all,kids come first,right?”
He picked up my crystal and said gravely:
“Most crystals on the market are cheap plastic blends that release toxic substances over time.You,sitting closest to my wife—this thing has to go!”
Before I could stop him or explain,Tom raised his arm and smashed the crystal mountain to the floor.
Bang!The crash,mixed with the sound of shattering crystal,shattered the office’s cheerful mood.Everyone froze,stunned by Tom’s sudden crazy act.
Seeing no one dared move,Tom thought he had it all under control.He began “inspecting”the office,moving computers and tablets from Jane’s neighboring desks to the farthest corner and warning colleagues not to brew anything pungent in their kettles.
No one argues with a lunatic,so everyone stayed silent.
Finally,Tom scanned the room again,relocated a moldy old plant from the southwest corner,and cleared stones from a file cabinet before storming off.
Those who hadd taken fruit quickly returned it to Jane and retreated to their desks,avoiding any more trouble.
Jane apologized to everyone,and they offered polite smiles.Since I was the only one who suffered real damage,she crouched down,picked up the green crystal shards,crying as she spoke:
“I’m so sorry,especially to you,Emma.I have no say at home—my husband and his mom gang up on me.I’m just an outsider.After six or seven years of marriage,this baby finally made them treat me better.I thought having a child would let me hold my head high.But my husband ruined such a happy day.
“It’s all my fault, being so useless,letting everyone get bullied and breaking our dear Emma’s crystal lucky charm.”
A lifetime ago,her talk of finally getting pregnant after years,along with her tearful act,reminded me of my own childless marriage.I was the first to forgive her.
Now,seeing the hesitant looks from the other three colleagues,I realized they were used to Jane’s theatrics and didn’t buy what she said at all.I,the naive newcomer,was the only one she targeted and could manipulate.
Jane’s teary eyes locked onto me while the others pretended not to hear.
I sighed,taking the broken crystal shards from her.
Thinking I’d forgiven her—since I was always so easygoing—she tested me:
“Emma,how much is this?I’ll pay you back.”
She took out her phone,pretending to make a transfer.
In her mind,no one would haggle with a pregnant woman abused at home.
Sorry,but I would.
I looked at my shopping record,then held it in front of her,and said flatly:
“Thirty-eight thousand five hundred and sixty dollars.Cash or card,thanks.”
Jane froze at the number,staring at me in disbelief. “How much?”
I repeated it,explaining:
“Sorry,this isn’t some random plastic knockoff.It’s made from the finest emerald my friend brought back from Burma,designed and carved by a master.Here’s my payment record.”
