Rubbing the bracelet absentmindedly, she suddenly felt a tightening in her chest.

Panicked, she carefully examined the bracelet, turning it over and over.

To her dismay, the key-shaped pendant on the bracelet was missing!

Ariana's heart skipped a beat. She rose hurriedly from the bed, her hands deftly maneuvering the wheelchair, as she searched the room for the precious bracelet pendant.

Unfortunately, it was nowhere to be found.

A sense of sadness and unease enveloped her as she glanced around, her eyes desperately seeking any clue. The bracelet held a special place in her heart. Its allure lay not only in its exquisite design and craftsmanship, but also in the pendant that bore the intertwined initials of her and Theodore's names.

And now, it was lost.

The bracelet was still there, but the pendant was lost.

Ariana's anxiety grew so intense that her nose began to ache, tears welling up in her eyes without her conscious consent.

Why had she lost only this pendant?

Did it signify something about her and Theodore?

Chaos consumed her thoughts, and tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably.

She wiped them away with the back of her hand, silently admonishing herself not to cry. But her sadness held sway over her, refusing to be subdued. She despised her own distraction, her mind constantly occupied by thoughts of Theodore.

“Ariana? What's wrong?"

Startled, Ariana tumed to see Sarah rushing towards her. The door swung open, revealing Ariana in tears, alone in the living room. Concern etched upon her face, Sarah swiftly retrieved a tissue to wipe away Ariana’s tears, and inquired, "What's wrong? What has happened to make you cry all by yourself?"

Ariana lowered her head, trying to hold back her tears.

"Nothing," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"It's just... something got lost."

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably once again, dampening her cheeks.

In this room, there was no pendant to be found. She couldn't fathom where she might have lost it.