Chapter 129. Heartfelt Gifts

Aurora’s POV

When Caroline lifted the lid of the box, I could feel my palms dampen. I’d spent days second-guessing this, wondering if she’d like it, if it would be enough, or if it was too much. The moment stretched as she pulled the delicate pearl bracelet from its bed of tissue paper, her fingers tracing over the tiny beads.

“Aurora,” she said softly, her eyes wide as she turned to me. “This is beautiful. It’ll go perfectly with my dress for the party.” She hesitated, her voice turning into something almost scolding but warm. “But you shouldn’t have. This must’ve cost you a lot.”

I shook my head, feeling my cheeks flush under her gaze. “It’s nothing. I had some money from my part-time job for a while now. I just…” My words faltered, and I looked down at the bracelet resting in her hand, hoping it said more than I could. “You’re my first real friend, Caroline. You’re the reason I started wanting to live for myself again. I wanted to do something nice for yo