I’m Olive, 23, and this is the story of my late Mom’s necklace—a cherished heirloom and a painful reminder of my loss. My Mom, Poppy, passed away from cancer when I was 19, leaving me shattered. She was my rock and my best friend. Her absence left a gaping hole in my life, and the only piece of her I had left was her diamond necklace.

After my Mom’s death, my dad introduced Magdalene, his new fiancée. From day one, she eyed my Mom’s necklace, believing it should belong to her. One day, my dad asked if she could wear it for their wedding. I was furious. “That necklace is everything to me. It’s Mom’s!” I snapped, but he insisted it was just for one day.

To keep it safe, I hid the necklace in my childhood teddy bear, Buttons, knowing Magdalene would never think to look there. On the wedding day, I was shocked to find I wasn’t even invited. While they celebrated, I stayed home feeling uneasy. Checking on the necklace, I discovered it was gone. Panic set in—I knew Magdalene had taken it.

I called her, demanding the necklace back. She dismissed me, claiming it was now part of the family heirlooms. Enraged, I called the police and explained the situation, rushing to the wedding venue. When I arrived, chaos ensued as they retrieved the necklace from her.

Dad and Magdalene were furious. “You ruined our wedding!” they yelled, but I stood my ground. “The necklace belonged to my Mom. You had no right to take it.” My dad, heartbroken, declared me dead to him after this.

Feeling heartbroken but resolute, I packed my belongings and left for my old apartment. Before I walked out, I looked at my dad. “You lost your daughter today,” I said coldly.

Back in my apartment, I focused on healing. I joined a support group for people who lost loved ones, and I started painting—something Mom always encouraged. Slowly, I began to feel like myself again, surrounded by memories of her.

Work became my anchor, and as I saw pictures of Dad and Magdalene on their honeymoon, I felt a mix of fury and indifference. They had their life, and I had mine, filled with memories of my Mom and the safe keeping of her beloved necklace.

Through the heartache, I emerged stronger. I realized that while loss would always be a part of me, I could honor my Mom’s memory in my own way. I saw in the mirror the reflection of the woman my Mom always believed I could be.