Chapter 3

The picture was of a hand, knuckles sharp and clear, with a ring on the ring finger, half gold, half silver.

It was the ring James and I had custom-made for our wedding.

When my pet Goldie, whom I'd had for twelve years, died, James had that ring made for me, so it felt like Goldie was still with me somehow.

Back then, seeing that ring had filled me with joy. Now, it just hurt to look at.

But all the comments were from his bros, sending their blessings.

[Who's jealous? Not me, I swear,] one of them joked.

[Our little princess finally found her happiness. Wishing you two endless happiness,] another wrote.

Every time we got together, his buddies would either complain about my clothes or say I wasn't good enough for James.

I always thought they were all high and mighty, looking down on anyone who wasn't one of them.

Turns out, it was just me they couldn't stand.

But in just one more day, I'd be leaving this place for good.

Jane and I had booked our tickets to Vaeldris for tomorrow night.

On our last night, we packed our own bags.

I took off my ring and set it on the nightstand. As I stared at the wedding photo on the wall, a bitter, ironic smile tugged at my lips.

I couldn't help but mock myself.

Maybe James and his brothers were right. Anything I steal by force was never truly mine to begin with.

Back in high school, I had a crush on James. I was overweight, and my face was breaking out like crazy.

My parents took me to every doctor they could find, but nothing worked. All my classmates mocked me, saying I'd gone from a swan to an ugly duckling, and they all avoided me like the plague.

Only James would sit down across from me, his tray in hand, without hesitation.

I knew he just pitied me. After all, Lily was always by his side.

One day, on my way home from school, Lily cornered me at the intersection.

She looked me up and down, then said with a sneer, "Don't think just because you come from a good family, James will ever give you a second glance.

"Have you ever looked in the mirror? You look just like a fat pig. What guy would ever be into you?"

I kept my head down, didn't have the strength to argue back. Because everything she said was true.

Later, I went abroad for college. Maybe it was just the change of scenery, but I slimmed down and my acne finally cleared up.

When I came back, my dad told me I was going to marry James.

At the meeting between our families, I was both excited and nervous, fidgeting with my fingers.

But he didn't even recognize me. He just handed me a prenuptial agreement, his face cold and distant.

At that moment, it felt like cold water had been poured over my heart.

I forced a smile and signed my name.

I thought marriage would solve all my problems, but never did I think Lily would come back.

I took the wedding photo off the wall, grabbed a pair of scissors, and started cutting it straight down the middle, slowly, deliberately, one snip after another.

Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face, blurring the smiles in the photo.

My phone rang, and I picked up right away.

James sounded tired. "I'm not coming home tonight. Get some rest."

Right as I was about to say something, a woman's voice cut in from his side. "James, hurry up, it's your turn."

The line went dead with a click.

I gave a self-mocking smile, sat motionless on the bed, staring blankly out the window.

By the time the sun rose and the birds started chirping outside, my heart had completely sunk.

I signed the divorce papers and set them on the nightstand, just like I had done with the prenuptial agreement all those years ago.

With my luggage in hand, I closed the door and headed downstairs.

Downstairs, Jane was already there, standing with her suitcase. She'd clearly been waiting a long time.

There were dark circles under her eyes too, making her look just as worn out as I felt.

Just as I was about to say something, the doorbell rang urgently.

I opened the door, and to my surprise, Angela and Lily were standing right there, dragging their suitcases behind them.