He stared at me strangely. “What’s wrong? Are you mad? Why aren’t you saying a word?”
I met his eyes, steady and hollow. “Nothing. I’m just… disappointed in you.”
Then, without another thought, I pulled my wedding ring from my finger. The same ring I once thought symbolized love, partnership, eternity.
I looked at it one last time—then threw it straight at his face. The small band clinked against his cheekbone before falling to the floor.
Oliver’s footsteps echoed down the hallway as he followed me. His voice was sharp, impatient, the way it always was whenever he felt his pride had been bruised.
“What was that, Candice?” His eyes narrowed on me. “You just threw away our wedding ring like it meant nothing. What’s wrong with you? Is this again because of what happened? Are you jealous? Is that it? It was your fs”
I swallowed, my throat burning, but I said nothing. My hands trembled at my sides, the ghost of the ring’s weight still lingering on my finger. I wanted to scream, Yes, I’m jealous. Yes, I’m tired. Yes, I’ve given you everything and received nothing in return. But the words never left my mouth.
Silence was my only defense.
Oliver scoffed. “Oh God, you’re useless. Fine. Do whatever you want.”
Before I could breathe, Jackson appeared at the top of the stairs. “What’s going on?” he asked, his tone lazy, uninterested, like a man who already expected disappointment.
“She threw away her ring,” Oliver said flatly.
Jackson let out a chuckle. “Seriously, Mom? You’re throwing tantrums at your age? Come on. Just let her be, Dad. She’s probably bored again.”
And then Beatrice’s voice slithered in from behind them, soft, coated in false concern. “Don’t be harsh on her, Oliver. She probably just feels neglected.” She turned to me, that sweet smile on her lips that only I knew was poison. “Don’t worry, sister. I’ll buy you something from the cruise. Maybe that will make you happy.”
Their laughter pricked at my ears, stabbing deeper than any knife. But what broke me was Coreen, my sweet grandchild, staring at me with wide eyes before pouting. “Why are you such a crybaby, Granny?”
The words hit like a slap. My breath caught, but I forced myself to stay still, to stay calm. I shut my lips tightly and turned to leave.
But Oliver’s voice cracked like a whip. “Wait. Where do you think you’re going? Go pack our things now.”