He looked at me as if he’d already expected me to object, prepared with what he’d say next.
But I just nodded.
He froze, clearly not expecting me to agree so easily.
Still, without saying anything else, he hurried toward the room next door.
I stood in the hallway, lowering my gaze to the ring on my left hand.
I’d worn our wedding ring for many years.
At first, it felt unfamiliar. Later, I didn’t even want to take it off to shower or sleep.
Now, it felt light—like an unnecessary piece of metal.
I took it off without hesitation and dropped it into the trash can at the end of the hall.
A clink sounded.
It was soft, but it felt like a period being placed inside my heart.
Inside Kelsey’s room, she was sitting on the hospital bed.
She looked clean and neat, except for a faint smear of dried blood near her cheek.
Her two brothers stood on either side of her.
“Are you still dizzy?”
“What did the doctor say? Do you need another check?”
Tucker walked over, his voice tense.
“Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”
I went in, set the fruit basket on the cabinet, and was about to leave.
“Verity.”
Kelsey suddenly called out to me.
Her voice trembled, her eyes red, looking both wronged and helpless.