Chapter 3

I was packing in the living room when I heard the door open, and I saw Justin leading Zoe inside.

He took a new pair of slippers from the shoe rack and passed them to Zoe. "Here, put them on."

They were new ones I had bought for myself, and I didn't even have time to unwrap them.

When I had first shown them to Justin, he scoffed at how childish they were.

And now, he handed them over to Zoe like it was only natural.

He then placed a box of apple pies in front of me. "Zoe's moving out and has no place to go, so she's staying with us for a couple of days."

I stared at the box—I loved those to death, but now, even the sweet scent only made me sick.

"If that's what you want," I replied nonetheless.

Justin was taken aback, as if he didn't expect me to be so cooperative.

Then, seeing the wedding photo album on the coffee table, he chuckled. "I guess you're maturing since you're going to be Mrs. Fox soon, huh? There's time until we get married anyway—we can find time to take photos."

Zoe then asked softly, "Where should I put my things, Justin?"

Justin's attention was focused on her right then. "I'll lead you there."

He led Zoe toward the guest room, while I smiled wryly.

So, he was making it up to me with cheap apple pie and a breakable promise.

Everything was mostly packed when I returned to my room, but my engagement ring was missing.

It was a three-carat diamond ring, so it wasn't cheap.

But it just wasn't there after I searched the room and the living room.

Hearing me rummage through the drawers, Justin stepped out of the guest room. "What's wrong?"

"My ring's gone."

"What's gone?"

"The engagement ring."

Justin frowned. "It's so important. How did you lose it? Try recalling where you put it."

I remained anxious. "I remember putting it beside the TV…"

Justin went over but found nothing and turned toward me accusingly. "Just say you lost it. You didn't have to lie."

"I wasn't lying!" I retorted a little too loudly, but explanations just didn't work, with the ring nowhere to be seen.

"Were you looking for this?"

Zoe suddenly appeared, holding up her hand to show me a ring on her ring finger.

And it was my ring.

"I picked it up from the floor and wanted to try it," she said, taking it off and holding it out to me.

"When you're in another person's house, that's called theft. Or don't you know that much?"

Zoe burst into tears right then. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it. I didn't have such a nice ring when I got married. I will apologize however you want!"

She bent her knees as if she was ready to prostrate herself, but Justin caught her and pulled her to her feet.

Then, turning to me and glaring at me in cool disappointment, he growled, "That's enough! You're being too harsh, and it's your fault for not keeping the ring safe! And now you're trying to slander her on top of lying?!"

I met his glare, my words slow and clear as I replied, "I have no reason to lie. I did put it beside the TV. Also, it's my ring—taking it without my permission is stealing."

"Sure," he replied, his chest heaving. "And I'm letting her wear it. And because I bought it, I have the right to do so."

And with those words, he slid the ring on Zoe's ring finger.

I watched them quietly, with Zoe sniffling as she hid herself in Justin's arms.

When Justin himself put that ring on my finger, he had promised me a beautiful marriage.

Now, that same ring was on Zoe's finger, the glow that refracted off its facets stabbing into my heart.

All at once, I felt completely drained and was unable to say a word.

Stepping into our room, I took out my suitcase.

Justin watched as I did, still watching coolly. "Fine, leave. Don't show up around Zoe if you're going to keep up that attitude."

I responded by closing the door in his face.

-

The next day, I arrived at the airport punctually.

I didn't sleep at all, but I didn't feel the least bit tired.

My phone was silent even when we landed in New Ingram, and there definitely wasn't a single text from Justin.

I chuckled as I quickly deleted all his contact details from my phone.

There was no future for us, and we shall hence stay well away from each other.