Chapter 1

When Ethan and his so-called distant cousin Isabella fed each other wine mouth-to-mouth, my stomach twisted so violently I thought I might be sick. The room erupted in shocked whispers, my face drained of all color, but Ethan didn’t even flinch—if anything, he looked like he was about to kiss her right there in front of everyone.

The day I was released from the hospital, Ethan came to collect me. A vibrant bouquet of red roses sat on the passenger seat, glaringly out of place. I reached to move them, but his hand shot out, snatching them away before I could touch them.

"They're not for you," he said coldly. "Sit in the back."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and climbed into the rear seat without a word. A few minutes into the drive, my phone buzzed—an incoming call from the jewelry store.

"Mr. Caldwell, the ring you commissioned is ready for pickup at your convenience."

Ethan didn’t even glance at me before sharply turning the wheel toward the store. I exhaled slowly. Fine, I thought. It’s time to return that engagement ring anyway.

——

The car pulled up outside the boutique, and Ethan strode inside with an eager step.

A clerk approached him, presenting a velvet box with reverence. He flipped it open, revealing a breathtaking diamond ring—far more extravagant than the one he’d given me.

"Mrs. Caldwell will be overjoyed," the clerk gushed. "Our master jeweler spent a full week perfecting every detail."

The staff watched expectantly as Ethan admired the ring, his lips curving in satisfaction. Then his gaze flicked to me, and his expression darkened. He snapped the box shut and shoved it into his pocket. The message was clear: This wasn’t for me.

An uncomfortable silence settled until another clerk at the counter gasped in recognition.

"Mrs. Caldwell! I was just about to call you—your engagement ring has arrived!"

"Has it?" I replied, forcing a calm smile. "Let’s see how it fits, then."

I walked past Ethan without looking at him. The clerk carefully placed the ring on a velvet tray—twelve delicate diamonds encircling a deep red ruby, like stars orbiting the moon. Ethan had designed it himself, once promising I’d shine as brightly as the night sky.

But now, I was no longer his moon.

He strode over, snatched up the matching men’s band, slid it onto his finger for half a second, then tossed it back dismissively. "Good enough. I have places to be—take a cab home."

His tone was ice, a stark contrast to the warmth he’d shown the clerk moments ago. As he turned to leave, I didn’t chase after him. No arguments, no desperate pleas—just silence.

Instead, I slowly slipped the diamond ring from my finger and placed it back on the tray. "Melt it down," I told the clerk. "I don’t want it anymore."

The clerk paled. "Mrs. Caldwell, is there an issue? We can redesign it—"

I shook my head, offering a small, reassuring smile. "The ring is perfect. The man isn’t."

I handed over my card. She hesitated but nodded, murmuring into her headset. Two jewelers emerged, carefully prying each diamond free—like dismantling the last fragments of my love for Ethan. One by one, the stones dropped away until only the bare platinum remained. Then, with practiced precision, they melted it down, reducing what was once a promise to nothing but molten metal.

The clerk gathered the diamonds and the cooled platinum bar, tucking them into a velvet pouch. She handed it to me with a sympathetic smile. "These are exquisite stones. If you ever want them reset into something new… we’d be honored. And… I hope you find someone who deserves them."

I took the pouch, feeling strangely lighter. "Thank you," I said softly. "I know I will."