“Do you think Samantha is really that clueless? You buy her clothes that are my style, in my size; the initials on the wedding ring are mine; even your bridal home looks exactly like the one we once dreamed of. And she hasn't noticed a thing.”
Ethan said nothing, pressing his lips against hers in a deep, consuming kiss.
Boom!
Fireworks exploded in the sky.
But my mind went blank, my ears ringing, unable to hear any sound.
I always thought Ethan was just careless, always getting my size wrong.
Trembling, I pulled the ring off my finger, inspecting it under the light of my phone.
Finally, on the inside of the band, I found the two letters: LS.
In that instant, it felt like all my strength had left me; even holding onto the ring was impossible.
The ring slipped from my hand, rolling into the drain with a series of metallic clinks.
Each sound struck at the core of my heart.
No wonder Ethan acted so strangely when he saw Lily at the karaoke bar, not caring even when he hurt me.
To him, I was just a stand-in. Now that the real one was back, there was no room left for me.
How laughable.
I had been by his side for twenty-two years.