Chapter 3

3

Little did she know, after paying my debt, I wouldn't be around any longer.

We wouldn't have any future together.

She told the driver to take me home.

I rolled up my pants leg. My knee was already bruised.

As I applied the medicine, Ashley had already sent over gifts.

A limited-edition watch, and the keys to a Porsche.

She made sure to emphasize the first one was a gift for giving up the wedding, the second to make up for forcing me to be a groomsman.

I unemotionally took them to the trophy room and put them in the cabinets labeled 96 and 97.

The maid holding the tray on the side said enviously, "Ms. Ashley's gifts get more expensive every time. She must really love you."

I laughed without saying anything.

She didn't know this was a gift for every time Ashley hurt me.

I saw the full wall of trophy cases with only two spots left.

I knew I would leave soon.

I went to my room and got some things together.

I did not want to take anything from her.

I wanted to find the only heirloom that my grandma left me.

Even though I was marrying into the family, my grandma didn't want Ashley to suffer.

Without telling me, she melted her traditional gold bracelet to create a pair of earrings, and a pair of wedding rings.

The earrings and her wedding ring were all gifts from my grandma.

I only wanted to take my ring with me.

A few days earlier Ashley asked to borrow the ring. She must have forgotten to give it back and must have just thrown it in the jewelry cabinet.

I looked all over her jewelry cabinet.

It was filled with so much, except my small ring.

I was about to ask the maid, but Ashley came back with Brad, and a box of food.

Not leftovers, but newly made.

All my favorite foods.

She was so caring, it made me think that she did love me.

I didn't look at the food, and asked, "Where is my ring?"

Brad took the lead and showed the gold ring on his finger.

"Jake, are you talking about the wedding ring? I always see Ashley with her wedding ring so I borrowed the other ring to wear."

"I melted them together to make this ring."

"Sorry, I didn't tell you. I'll pay you back."

My heart ached.

"Ashley, that was my wedding ring!"

Ashley paused.

She picked up the chopsticks and grabbed my favorite dish and had me taste it.

"It was just a formality. If you want another wedding ring, I'll buy you one."

She forgot that it was my grandma's heirloom.

I can't replace it.

I dodged the food and said coldly, "It's ok, I don't need it."

Brad teared up, and took off his ring.

"Jake, I just did something bad and had to melt the rings. Don't blame Ashley."

"I'd rather die, than to let this hurt you guys."

But Ashley wasn't short on money.

Brad knew that the ring was important to me and was doing it on purpose.

Ashley didn't see his intentions.

She wanted to apologize, but Brad was emotional and threw the chopstick and she went to comfort him.

"It was just a ring. Melting it for you is fine."

Brad pointed to my leaving.

"What about Jake?"

"Don't worry, I'll make it up to him."

I heard their conversation and went upstairs to my room and closed the door.

My parents passed away early. My grandma raised me.

Now, I can't keep her last gift.

Maybe, she was telling me that this was the wrong relationship and shouldn't continue.

I grabbed the paper from my notebook and it was filled with numbers.

I added 98 to the list.