Chapter 2

Daniel looked at the ring in my outstretched hand but didn't take it.

He smiled—that mocking, condescending smile of his.

"Evelyn, you're actually willing to give the ring back? Don't tell me you really want to break up with me."

Six months ago, Daniel had proposed out of nowhere.

The moment that ring went on my finger, I finally felt safe.

I never took it off. Not even to sleep.

Daniel used to laugh at me for being dramatic—said it wasn't like the ring was going to sprout legs and run away.

I didn't respond to his sarcasm. I just said, calmly:

"Yes. Returning it to its rightful owner."

Daniel went quiet for a moment, then laughed again. He didn't believe me.

"Keep it."

"When you come crawling back asking me to put it on you again, don't you think that'll be a hassle?"

A hassle?

In Daniel's eyes, what exactly didn't count as a hassle?

Flying to New York every month—that wasn't a hassle?

Keeping constant tabs on Jessica—that wasn't a hassle?

Every year, he spent ages carefully picking out a birthday gift for his ex-wife.

Not only did it always arrive on time, he made sure to send her birthday wishes at the exact right moment.

The second she so much as mentioned feeling down, he'd drop everything and fly to her—just to say a few comforting words.

He never told me in advance. Even when I was at home, waiting for him.

Every time, he'd come back and brush me off with some excuse.

Back then, I loved him, so I pretended not to know. I'd never let myself examine those details too closely.

Every time I saw those messages on his phone, I told myself to just wait a little longer.

Just a little more time, and things would be fine.

But I was wrong.

No matter how many times I apologized first, no matter how low I stooped—

Daniel still kept a place in his heart.

A place that belonged to Jessica.

"You can keep it." My voice didn't waver. As though nothing he did could stir any emotion in me anymore.

"Daniel, we're done. Completely."

"You're the one who always threatened me with breaking up. I'm just making your wish come true."

The smile faded from Daniel's face.

"Evelyn, that's enough."

"If we really break up—can you handle that?"

I placed the ring on the console table by the door.

I used to not be able to handle it.

That's why every time, I'd go to Daniel and apologize. Even when I'd done nothing wrong. Even when I was the one hurting.

My friends always asked—what was so great about Daniel?

What made me willing to be so small?

"Yes," I said softly.

Daniel didn't hear me.

"What did you say?"

I met his eyes and spoke clearly, word by word:

"Yes. I can handle it."

"Daniel, let's end this. For real."

Daniel said nothing. He just studied me, as if trying to determine whether I was serious.

Then he scoffed. "Fine. Suit yourself."

I knew he didn't believe me.

But it didn't matter anymore. At least I didn't have to keep hurting myself.

And I didn't have to keep agonizing over when he'd go running to Jessica next.

Jessica and Daniel had grown up together. Everyone who saw them thought they were the perfect match.

Everyone assumed they'd be together forever.

No one expected them to suddenly divorce.

Daniel said it was amicable. No reason in particular—just that they weren't compatible.

When I first moved in, I'd seen their wedding photos.

I'd also met Jessica.

That day, Daniel was working late. I was home waiting for him.

I heard the fingerprint lock click open and thought it was Daniel.

I got up—and found myself face-to-face with Jessica.

She froze for a moment, then smiled at me and said she hadn't known Daniel had a girlfriend.

By then, Daniel and I had been together for almost two years.

He'd never even mentioned me to her.

I set the ring down and was about to leave.

But then a soft, honeyed voice drifted from inside the house:

"Daniel, who's at the door?"