Chapter 1

My phone screen was glowing, open to the chat app window.

The last message I sent read: [Lucas, I'll be waiting for you at the Orbit Restaurant at 7 pm. It's my birthday today.]

It was sent at 5 pm.

Now, it was 10:47 pm, but there was no reply.

Outside the window, brilliant fireworks exploded in the deep blue night sky, the dull thuds coming through the glass.

Today was not only my birthday but also the city's annual fireworks festival.

The Orbit Restaurant had the best view, and I'd booked my table three months in advance.

Now, the fancy steak on the table was stone cold, the red wine untouched, and the candles on the birthday cake from the restaurant had melted into a mess of colored wax.

The waiter came over for the third time, carefully asking, "Ma'am, would you like a to-go box?"

I shook my head, took out a few bills from my wallet, and left them on the table.

"Keep the change," I said.

When I stood up, my legs were tingling with pins and needles, so I leaned on the table for a moment to steady myself.

I grabbed the off-white cashmere coat draped over the back of my chair. Lucas had given it to me last week. The tag hadn't even been removed yet. He said this color looked good on me.

I put on the coat, gathered the collar around my neck, and walked out into the chilly December night.

The cold hit me.

*****

As I stepped out of the restaurant, I took out my phone and scrolled through my social media feed.

The latest post was from Rita Owens.

It was a nine-photo grid. The background showed the viewing platform across the river, crowded with people.

She was dressed in a white wool dress and a red scarf, her nose tinged pink from the cold, smiling at the camera with her eyes curved in delight.

The caption read: [It's been three years. Finally, we're watching the fireworks together again.] She tagged Lucas.

There was a photo of her and Lucas side by side.

He was dressed in a black coat, his face turned slightly away from the camera, eyes fixed on the distant fireworks, a faint smile on his lips.

I hadn't seen him this relaxed in a long time.

Another shot showed her holding a skewer of candied fruit up to his mouth, and Lucas leaning down to take a bite.

The lighting was soft and blurred, and the atmosphere was full of ambiguous vibes.

The post already had hundreds of likes and comments.

[Wow! Rita's back in town? She and Mr. Newman are still such a perfect match!]

[Is this an official announcement? Does Mrs. Newman know about it?]

[Valerie stole Rita's place. Now that Rita is back, maybe Valerie should step aside now.]

Rita replied to everyone with the same shy emoji. She didn't say anything, but her silence spoke volumes.

I turned off my phone screen.

I lifted my gaze to the night sky across the river, glowing with bursts of fireworks.

It was absolutely stunning.

Of course he didn't come.

My phone rang. It was Lucas.

I picked up. "Hello?"

"Valerie, where are you?" Lucas sounded a bit out of breath, with fireworks popping and Rita's laughter echoing in the background.

"At home," I said, keeping my voice steady.

He replied, "Oh. Something came up tonight, so I probably won't be home. Don't wait up for me."

"Okay." I kept my answer short.

"By the way," Lucas lowered his voice, moving further from the noise. "Rita's back in town. She just got here and doesn't really know anyone, so I'm showing her around. Don't get the wrong idea."

I replied, "Okay."

Lucas said, "Well... get some sleep."

He hung up.

I stood by the river, watching the couple across the water, leaning close together as they took in the fireworks. I watched for a long time.

I watched until the last firework bloomed in the night sky and faded away.

The crowd began to thin out.

I turned and walked toward the parking lot.

Inside the car, I turned on the heater, and slowly, feeling returned to my frozen fingers.

I started the car. But instead of heading to the so-called "home" villa, I turned toward Encewood's old neighborhood. That was where I grew up.

The house my parents left behind was a three-story place with a yard.

Lucas never liked it. He said it was too rundown and didn't match his taste. After we got married, I rarely returned.

I used the spare key to unlock the gate. The old tree was still there. Its branches stripped bare for winter, casting twisted, claw-like shadows in the moonlight.

Inside, the air was filled with dust and the musty scent.

I turned on the lights, straightened up the couch a bit, and sat down.

I took a velvet box out of my bag and opened it.

Inside was a diamond ring. It wasn't big, but it was one-of-a-kind. I sketched the design myself and had someone I trusted make it for me.

Our initials were engraved inside the band. VH & LN. Valerie Houston and Lucas Newman.

I was going to wait for Lucas at the restaurant tonight, take out this ring, and ask, "Lucas, we've been married for three years. Will you propose to me again?"

Now, I didn't need to ask anymore.

I took the ring out of the velvet box and clasped it in my palm.

The cold diamond pressed against my palm.

Then, I stood up, walked out into the yard, and hurled the ring with all the strength I had.

The small glint of silver traced an arc through the air, landing silently in the tangled weeds at the corner of the wall.

Alright, I had given my birthday gift. And now, I'd thrown it away, too.