Chapter 2

2

Yara stared at me like I had grown a second head. "What did you just say?"

I've always believed that throwing around the word "breakup" in a relationship is toxic.

If you say it every time you're angry, it loses its meaning until the day it finally sticks.

When we first started dating, we promised each other we'd never say it unless we meant it.

But promises can't save a dead relationship.

"I said we're done. I've thought about it, and I'm sure."

Yara's voice rose an octave. "Why? Because I missed one dinner? Don't you think you're being a little dramatic?"

She really didn't get it.

In her mind, she had just stood me up once. It had happened dozens of times over the last five years.

Usually, she'd just give me a sweet smile or a half-hearted apology, and I'd cave.

I looked at her, searching for even a hint of genuine remorse.

I wanted to know if she felt even a shred of guilt for lying to my face.

There was nothing. Just confusion and irritation.

She looked at me like I was an inconvenience, a child throwing a tantrum after she'd had a "long day at work."

I pulled out the crushed velvet box from my pocket.

"I was going to propose to you tonight. I waited all night for a woman who was already wearing another man's ring."

I didn't say the last part out loud. I wanted to see how long she'd keep up the act.

Yara froze. Then, her face softened into that manipulative, "let's fix this" expression.

"Caleb, if I knew you were going to propose, I never would have stayed late at work. It's all the company's fault. Let's just pretend today didn't happen and you can do it again in a few days, okay?"

I almost laughed. She was still lying about the overtime.

And she wanted me to propose again? To go through that soul-crushing pain a second time?

One night of being a fool was enough for a lifetime.

I was exhausted by this web of lies.

I grabbed her hand, lifting the ring into the light, and pulled up the screenshot of Leo's post on my phone.

"If you're going to lie, at least tell Leo to block me first."

Yara's brow furrowed, but she didn't look ashamed.

"This ring? It's just a childhood thing, Caleb. Don't make it weird. Leo and I grew up together. If we wanted to be together, we would have done it years ago."

Always the same excuse.

Every time I asked her to set boundaries with him, she'd pull the "we're just friends" card.

Now they were wearing matching rings on their ring fingers, and she still called it friendship.

Did she really think I was that stupid?

She kept talking, trying to dig her way out.

"We promised to give each other rings when we were kids. Leo's birthday is coming up, so I bought them. I only hid it because I knew you'd get jealous. I had no idea you were planning this tonight..."

"Enough."

I cut her off. The air in the room felt heavy, suffocating.

"Today is Valentine's Day. You spent it with Leo, wearing couple's rings. How am I supposed to feel, Yara?"

Yara had always been the one on a pedestal in our relationship. She wasn't used to me pushing back.

She ripped her hand away from mine, her face hardening.

"It's just a piece of jewelry, Caleb! Are you really going to be this petty?"