The pendant was a beautiful piece, shaped like a delicate wishbone. Its color shimmered between emerald and sapphire, so clear it seemed to glow from within. When Camila Davis touched it, it felt cool and smooth against her skin—almost like holding a piece of ice, but far softer.
You could tell at a glance it was no ordinary trinket.
Camila hesitated, unsure.
Dennis Williams broke the silence first. “Picked this up a few years back in the Caribbean,” he said with a casual shrug. “Nice color, but it’s not worth much.”
He smiled, then added, “Its best feature, though, is that it’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer. They say it helps calm your nerves. Works best if you keep it close.”
Camila almost laughed out loud.
She might not be a gemstone expert, but she could spot quality when she saw it. This wasn’t just any old stone—it was top-grade jade, the kind you only saw in fancy auctions or jewelry stores on Fifth Avenue.
And judging by the slightly worn cord, Dennis had clearly used it himself. He must really value this thing.
Yet here he was, acting like it was some cheap souvenir.
She shook her head. “Mr. Williams, you can’t fool me. This pendant is clearly valuable. I couldn’t possibly accept it.”
Dennis seemed amused at being caught so quickly. “It doesn’t do much for me these days,” he said, grinning, “but it’s perfect for you right now.”
Camila blinked in surprise. “Wait, isn’t this for Lillian?”
He’d mentioned something about it helping with therapy, so she’d assumed it was meant for his daughter.
“Nope,” Dennis replied, his tone gentle but serious. “You’ve been through a lot lately. I can tell you’re running on empty. It’s okay to let yourself relax. Don’t bottle everything up.”
He paused, meeting her gaze. “Try not to put too much pressure on yourself, in work or in life. You don’t have to be so hard on yourself.”
Camila was genuinely taken aback.
The truth was, ever since her divorce from Jordan Smith, she’d felt a sense of freedom she hadn’t known in years. But the scars from all that emotional turmoil didn’t heal overnight.
And now, with the launch of the new medication—so many moving parts, so much responsibility—she couldn’t afford to let her guard down. The weight of it all had left her edgy, even if she’d barely noticed it herself.
But Dennis had seen right through her.
She felt a strange mix of warmth and embarrassment. How did Mr. Williams know?
“Go on. Take it,” Dennis said again, a note of kindness in his voice. “You’re a doctor—you know these stones are said to promote balance and well-being. It can only help.”
Seeing his insistence, Camila finally relented. “Alright, I’ll accept it. But I promise I’ll take good care of it.”
She closed the box gently and tucked it into her bag.
Since the session was over and it was already late, Camila didn’t linger. “Well, I should get going. If you need anything, just call.”
Dennis nodded. “Let me have my driver take you home. It’s not safe to drive alone this late.”

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