Love Was Never Enough

I was picking out wedding rings when I ran into Claire Foster for the first time in six months.

The sales associate kept gushing about the ring on my finger, but I didn't hear a word. I could only stare at Claire, my mind somewhere else entirely.

She noticed the ring, walked over, and asked flatly, "Why'd you come on your own? I was going to surprise you."

That was what she said. But the shopping bag in her hand held the newest gaming console.

It wasn't for me. It was for Noah Young.

Yesterday, when the two of them came home, I'd overheard Noah sweet-talking her, saying he wanted the latest console for his birthday this year.

And Claire had made his wish come true that fast.

Of course she had. Whatever Noah asked for, she'd make it happen, no matter what it took.

Not like me. All I'd ever wanted was a wedding, and I'd waited eight years without getting one.

So this time, Claire, I'm done waiting for you.

I stepped a little farther away from her, quietly slipped off the ring, and asked the associate to box it up.

Claire immediately pulled out her card to pay for me.

Before I could explain anything to the associate, I noticed the rosary around her wrist.

Yesterday, when Noah announced his comeback to show business, one of the photos in his photo carousel had been of that exact rosary.

It didn't match the rest of the pictures at all. But someone recognized it as a design sold only at Havenlight Abbey.

Within hours, "Havenlight Abbey Closed for Six Months" and "Who Owns the Rosary?" were both trending.

Paparazzi had even caught video of Noah and Claire coming down the mountain. Claire's face never showed, but her custom-made dress and the 9999 vanity plate on her car said everything.

Everyone was congratulating Noah on landing a wealthy heiress.

I was the only one who'd become a complete joke.

I pulled myself back to the present and stopped the associate before she could run the card. "Don't. I was only trying it on. I'm not buying it."

Claire kept her eyes on her phone and answered absently, "Just buy it. I'm free this afternoon. We can go get the marriage license."

The marriage license?

To her, marrying me was just another box to check.

But I didn't need that kind of love anymore.

I didn't answer. I just walked out of the store.

Claire followed me, clearly annoyed by what I'd just done. "Are you mad at me over Noah again? I told you, the wedding's still on. I'm only looking after him for his mother's sake."

That part was true. Noah was the son of Claire's mother's best friend.

After Noah's mother, Diane, passed away, Claire, a few years older than him, had taken on the job of looking after him.

Noah was always calling her his big sister, but the way he looked at her was full of love.

I knew Claire understood all of it. She was only playing dumb.

And I was nothing but the tool she used to deflect gossip and protect Noah.