“I took it off,” Noelle said.
“But I made that ring myself. It’s supposed to represent our love. Why would you take it off?” Shawn asked.
She said indifferently, “I’ve gained weight, so it doesn’t fit anymore.”
Only then did Shawn’s expression soften. He smiled and said, “Then, I’ll take it to the jeweler tomorrow to have it resized.”
“We’ll see.”
“Oh, right. What’s that on the table?” he asked, pointing at the jewelry box, looking surprised. “Is it a present for me?”
Noelle nodded. “Yeah.”
Inside the box was a small piece of silver—it was the wedding ring she’d had melted.
Shawn’s face lit up. “What’s the occasion? Why did you suddenly get me a gift?”
His words made Noelle’s heart freeze over. “It’s… our wedding anniversary.”
Shawn’s expression immediately fell. Then, he said almost sycophantically, “I’m sorry, Elle. I’ve been so busy with work that it slipped my mind. How about we go out for dinner? I’ll make a reservation now…”
“No, it’s fine. I’ve already eaten.”
“Then, should I take you out for a spin so we can enjoy the night scenery? Let’s take a walk by the river.”
“I’m tired. I want to go to bed.”
Shawn wrapped his arms around her from behind, his tone almost pleading. “Come on, Elle. It’s been ages since we’ve taken a walk together. I feel like you’ve been quite cold to me recently. If this keeps up, I’m going to start thinking that your feelings for me have changed.”
Was she the one whose feelings had changed? He was the one who’d fallen for someone else first. His heart was the one that had left her.
Well, it didn’t matter. She would take back her heart, mind, and soul for good.
Noelle and Shawn left the house. As he drove, he kept telling her about recent events. She sat in the front passenger seat, staring out the window without listening to him.
Her mind was elsewhere—on the pair of pantyhose she’d found wedged between the seat and console when buckling her seatbelt earlier. Someone had clearly worn them before.
She’d stuffed them back where she’d found them and acted like nothing had happened. Since she’d already decided to leave, she didn’t want to waste her time and breath arguing with Shawn.
Useless lies were the only things she would get out of him, anyway. If she couldn’t get the truth, she wouldn’t bother asking for it.
When they arrived at the riverside, Shawn got out of the car and opened the door for her. “We’re here, Elle.”
Noelle didn’t want to be there, but this river was a spot they’d frequented at the beginning of their relationship. This was where things had started and where she wanted them to end.
“Hey, isn’t that Mr. Pitt? The one we saw on TV today. He’s the one who made his wedding ring!”
“I remember him! He’s the best man in the world!”
