Chapter 3

I walked out of the company in a daze, staring down at the ring on my finger. It was our promise, the symbol of our love, and James had made it for me himself.

When he gave me the ring, he looked at me with so much love and promised, "Claire, we'll be happy together forever."

Now, the diamond still sparkled just like it did back then, but his feelings for me had already faded.

I took off the ring and gently tossed it into the drain.

Along with it, I threw away my love for James, too.

I returned home and looked at the house I had once poured my soul into decorating. Moving slowly, I began to pack up my things. I took down the large wedding portrait that had dominated the living room and sent it sailing into the trash.

Two hours later, James came home, his eyes hinting at satisfaction.

He walked in and noticed the wedding photo missing from the wall. He paused, a trace of panic flickering in his eyes.

He asked anxiously, "Claire, where's our wedding photo?"

"The nail came loose, and the photo fell, breaking the frame. I took it to get repaired," I said calmly.

I lied with a straight face.

James let out a barely noticeable sigh of relief and answered, "Good, we can get a new frame."

That night, like he always did, he drifted off to sleep with his fingers gently running through my hair, his gaze soft and tender.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed. He checked the screen, looking conflicted for a second, then got up and left.

He just said, "Claire, something came up at work. I need to go handle it."

After he left, I checked my phone. Emily had sent me a bunch of suggestive photos, gloating and showing off.

She said, "Claire, James is really into me.

"Has he ever tried all those wild things with you?

"Claire, if you can't even keep a man satisfied in bed, doesn't that make you a total failure as a woman?

"Tell me, who do you think means more to James now? You or me?"

Soon enough, our wedding anniversary came around. James went all out and threw a lavish party. We showed up in coordinated couples' outfits, putting on a show of being madly in love.

The party was going smoothly until Emily suddenly popped up with a glass of champagne and carelessly spilled it all over my dress.

She said, "Sorry, Claire, I didn't mean to.

"I just wanted to give you a toast."

She kept apologizing, looking all meek, but there was a provocative glint in her eyes.

I ignored her and just gave James a look, silently asking, "Why is she even here at our anniversary party?"

James's eyes suddenly went steely, and his voice was cold as ice.

He said, "If you love drinking so much, then I'll make sure you get your fill."

With just a glance from him, Emily was made to chug down ten bottles of red wine right in front of everyone. Her chest was splattered with wine, her flimsy dress clinging to her, barely hiding her pale skin.

She collapsed on the floor, dazed and messy, her face smeared with snot and tears. She said, "I'm sorry, I just wanted to give you my best wishes."

I just smiled quietly at her, without saying anything.

Was that supposed to be a blessing, or just her way of provoking me?

"Get her out of here. I don't want her ruining Claire's night," James said coldly.

He looked at Emily with utter disdain.

But after the party, even though we were supposed to go for a romantic boat ride on the lake, James just claimed the wind was too strong tonight and took me home instead.

Not long after, I lay down and closed my eyes, and James quietly slipped out of bed.

I just stood at the upstairs window, silently watching him drive away. In my palm, my phone lit up with a new message.

Emily: [Hey Claire, guess what? James came to see me again tonight.]

I watched his car disappear into the night, and for the first time in ages, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

This works out for me. At least I can slip away quietly.

At least I won't have to deal with any awkward drama before I go.

I made sure I had all my papers, packed a few outfits, and took one last look at this house that stopped feeling like home a long time ago. Without a second thought, I walked out and didn't look back.

The world's a big place, James. From now on, let's stay strangers.