After the Ring Came Off
I sat at our dining room table, my heart racing with anticipation. It was our third wedding anniversary, and I had the perfect surprise tucked away - an ultrasound photo of our baby. I couldn't wait to see Richard's face when he found it.
Hours passed, and the fancy dinner I'd prepared grew cold. Then my phone buzzed, and my world fell apart.
There on my screen was my husband, Richard Blackwood - the big shot CEO of Luxora Group - looking at another woman like she was his whole world. I'd never seen such warmth in those steel-gray eyes of his. What caught my eye was that pink diamond bracelet on her wrist - the same two-million-dollar piece I'd watched him "win" at last week's charity auction on the local news.
My stomach dropped. I'd been so sure that bracelet was meant for me, for our anniversary.
Another text popped up: "He doesn't belong to you."
Those words felt like a punch to the gut. I squinted at the photo, but couldn't make out her face. That bracelet said enough, though.
Just after midnight, I heard Richard's Bugatti pull up. From the window, I watched him step out, looking like a million bucks in that perfectly tailored suit. Even with my heart breaking, I couldn't deny how gorgeous he was.
"Still up, honey?" His deep voice filled the room as he hit the lights, looking genuinely surprised to see me sitting there.
I stood up slowly, trying to keep my voice steady. "I was waiting for you."
"You shouldn't wait up with all these late nights at the office, sweetheart. It's getting cold - don't want you getting sick." The way he said it so sweetly just twisted the knife deeper.
To everyone else, we were this perfect power couple. Richard Blackwood and his loving wife.
He wrapped me in his arms, kissing my cheek. "Missed you, Sophia."
Then he spotted the cold food spread out on the table. "What's all this?"
"Our third anniversary." I forced a smile, but that unfamiliar perfume on his collar made my eyes water.
"God, I'm so sorry." He looked guilty. "Work's been crazy - it completely slipped my mind."
I couldn't hold back anymore. "Did it? Or were you planning something special? Maybe with that pink diamond bracelet?"
"What bracelet?" He looked confused.
"The two-million-dollar one from the auction. I saw it on the news." Please, I silently begged, just pull it out now and we can pretend this never happened.
"Oh, that?" Richard ran his fingers through his dark hair. "No, I was just there with James. The media got it wrong." His poker face never cracked. "I'm sorry about missing our anniversary, baby. How can I make it up to you?"
"That bracelet was gorgeous." I couldn't let it drop. Maybe because every time I closed my eyes, I saw it sparkling on her wrist while my husband looked at her like she was his everything.
"James probably gave it to one of his girlfriends." Richard sighed against my hair. "If you want it that badly, I'll talk to him tomorrow."
"It's just jewelry." His hands slid to my waist as he lifted me onto the dining table.
