I’m Olive, 23. This isn’t a sob story, but it’s about a necklace. Not just any necklace. It’s my late Mom’s. The only thing left of her, besides the memories. And trust me, those memories are all I have…
I lost my Mom Poppy when I was 19. Cancer. The worst kind. It was the most traumatic loss I’d ever experienced. My Mom was my favorite person in the whole world. We were incredibly close. She was my rock, my confidante, my everything.
One minute, she was right there with me, listening to my silly jokes and laughing with that beautiful, infectious laugh of hers. And then, just like that, I was standing in front of her grave, holding her favorite white lilies and scented candles, after she lost her battle with cancer.
The pain was unbearable. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that she was really gone.
Every morning, I’d wake up hoping it was all just a bad dream. But it wasn’t. Her loss took a massive toll on my emotional and physical health. I stopped eating, I couldn’t sleep, and every corner of our home felt empty without her.
I went through therapy, and it helped, but nothing could fill the void she left behind.
I remember sitting in those sessions, trying to put into words the depth of my grief. “She was more than just my Mom,” I’d say. “She was my best friend.”
The therapist would nod, but no amount of therapy could truly take away the pain. It was like a part of me had been ripped away, and the wound just wouldn’t heal.
I started doing better over time, but the hollowness never really went away.
Every time I saw something Mom loved—a flower, a book, even a recipe she used to make—my heart started feeling heavy… all over again.
But life had to go on, right?
I knew Mom would’ve wanted me to move forward, to find happiness even without her. It wasn’t easy, and some days were harder than others, but I kept pushing through, holding on to the memories and the love she gave me.
Dad crumbled, and I tried to be the strong one for both of us.
I moved back to Dad’s from the apartment I shared with my ex, bringing all my belongings, including Mom’s treasured diamond necklace. This necklace was a family heirloom she had inherited from her late grandma and passed down to me.
Over time, I began to heal. However, things took a turn for the worse when Dad introduced his new fiancée, Magdalene, my soon-to-be stepmom.
Can you believe that? I mean, Dad’s allowed to move on, right? But Mom? She was irreplaceable.
Magdalene had her eyes on Mom’s necklace from day one. Can you imagine the audacity of this woman wanting to wear something that belonged to the woman she was replacing?
“Olive, honey,” Dad started, trying to sound gentle. “Magdalene really admires your mother’s necklace. She says it would look perfect with her wedding dress.”
I was furious. “Dad, that necklace is everything to me. It’s Mom’s.”
Magdalene stepped in, all fake sweetness. “Oh, Olive, darling, I promise I’ll take good care of it. I just think it would be such a beautiful tribute to your Mom.”
Tribute? More like a slap in the face.
“No,” I snapped. “It’s not happening. I won’t give the necklace to anyone.”
Dad sighed. “Olive, please. It’s just for one day.”
One day? Like it’s no big deal?
“No, Dad. It’s a no.”
With that, I stormed away to my room, leaving Magdalene fuming. I knew I had to hide the necklace. But where? My room was a no-go zone. Magdalene was always snooping around. I needed a safe place, somewhere she’d never look.
Then it hit me. My childhood teddy bear, Buttons. I had him since I was a kid. He had a zipper at the back. Perfect.
I slipped the necklace inside, zipped it up, and placed Buttons on my bed. It was a long shot, but it was all I had.
The wedding day finally rolled around, and guess what? I got the boot. Can you believe it? My own Dad’s wedding, and they didn’t even want me there. Magdalene had made sure of that.
While everyone was at the beach resort where Dad and Magdalene were tying the knot, I stayed home. I felt uneasy and decided to check on Mom’s necklace, thinking I should move it to a safer hiding place.