The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 148

Chloe froze, stunned by Jamie's sudden intensity. Why was he so sensitive about this necklace? She had only meant to bring it out to jog his memory of their past, hoping he would remember his debt to her and show her mercy.

She unclasped it from her neck, dabbing at her tears. “Jamie,” she sniffled, “do you remember that summer camp when you were twelve? This is the necklace I lost that day.”

She paused, watching his face for any change in expression. Just as she expected, Jamie wasn't really listening to her. His full attention was on the pendant, which he turned over and over in his fingers.

The chain was different from the one Suzie wore, but the pendant itself was almost identical. The engraved crest, the unique ‘LOVE’ font—it was all the same. If anything, the craftsmanship seemed even more refined, more professional than Suzie’s.

What was going on? He had secretly kept Suzie’s necklace and ordered Aaron to investigate its origins, but they had come up empty. It wasn't a mass-produced item; the unique style suggested it was a custom, handmade piece. With no logo, it was impossible to trace its designer or place of origin.

But regardless of its source, he couldn’t fathom why Chloe would have one just like Suzie’s. His previous theory was that the necklace had been a token of affection from Oliver to Suzie. Could Oliver have pursued Chloe as well?

Chloe, watching Jamie's face shift through a series of inscrutable expressions, couldn't guess what he was thinking. But she couldn't worry about that now; she had to press her advantage. She tugged at his sleeve again, raising her voice slightly. “Jamie, that day at camp, I found you at the foot of the mountain after you’d been separated from the group. You were badly hurt, and I carried you out. I was scratched by branches and sharp rocks, and I fell several times… Do you remember?”

When the girl got closer, Chloe saw that she was carrying what looked like an unconscious boy on her small back. The girl stopped a few feet away, bent over from the weight.

“Please, he’s hurt,” the girl gasped. “You have to help me…”

Chloe hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. She helped the girl carefully lower the boy to the ground. Together, they managed to prop him up against the trunk of a large tree. The girl, still half-supporting the boy’s shoulders, struggled to catch her breath.