Chapter 3

"Why don't you keep it for now?" I said, holding the ring out.

Daniel didn't take it. He looked as though he'd been expecting this.

"Here we go again." His voice carried the familiar mixture of patience and condescension. "You're my fiancée now. You can't keep taking your ring off every time you're jealous. Nikki and I are close, yes, but I've already explained that."

Once, I'd found Nikki's lipstick on Daniel's collar. We'd had a terrible fight. He claimed it had rubbed off on him by accident at a party, and he'd held me and coaxed me for ages before I forgave him.

Now he took my hand and tried to slide the ring back onto my finger.

I pulled away.

His hand stopped in midair. He stared at me, his voice sharpening. "Anna, stop making a scene."

Nikki spoke languidly in French.

"She thinks she's won now that you've proposed, so she's testing how far she can push you. Daniel, you'd better keep her in line. Imagine what she'll be like as the Rizzo family's Donna."

Daniel fell silent for a couple of seconds. When he looked at me again, his eyes had cooled.

"I've explained everything I'm going to explain. Whether you believe me is up to you."

The familiar ache rose in my chest again. What, exactly, had he ever explained?

After a pause, he softened his voice. "If you don't like that ring, I'll take you out and we'll choose a better one."

I didn't want another argument. All I wanted was to finish packing and leave quietly when the time came.

"Okay."

For a moment, he looked thrown. Ordinarily, I'd be crying by now, demanding answers and assurances. I was sure that was the reaction he'd expected.

Nikki's voice turned sickeningly sweet. "Daniel, I know a few wonderful jewelers. Why don't I take you both?"

He watched me for several seconds. When I still didn't react, his jaw tightened.

"Fine. We'll all go."

He took my hand and laced our fingers together, gripping harder than necessary, as though he thought I might run away.

I let him lead me out with Nikki.

At the jewelry store, we were shown into a private viewing room. Nikki sat close against Daniel, looking exquisite in her diamond necklace and earrings.

I stood to one side in an ordinary coat, still pale from the sleepless night.

At first, the sales associates assumed Nikki was his fiancée. They enthusiastically brought pieces for her to try. Only after Daniel corrected them in a cold voice did they turn their attention to me.

Daniel selected several rings and held them out for me to try.

I let out a quiet breath. "There's no need."

Why buy a ring for a wedding that would never happen?

His hand froze again, and for an instant his expression looked almost uncertain.

Nikki's French cut in from beside him. "Maybe she thinks the diamonds are too small. Daniel, there's a limit to how much you should spoil someone."

His face darkened. He lifted his chin toward the saleswoman.

"Wrap all of them."

Nikki went still, then her eyes lit up. "Daniel?"

"She doesn't want them. You can have them."

He settled back against the sofa and added in French, "Consider it your parting gift."

"I knew you loved spoiling me," Nikki answered in the same language.

She held out her wrist to show me the new jewelry. The diamonds flashed under the showroom lights.

I lowered my head and dug my nails into my palm, fighting back tears.

Just a little longer, I told myself.

Soon, I would be free.