On her ring finger sat a diamond engagement ring. Massive. Unmistakable.
The exact same design Eugene had put on my finger three months ago when he proposed.
My nails bit into my palms.
I spun around, walked fast to the bedroom, and wrenched open the left drawer of the vanity.
The ring box was empty.
I ran back out, seized the girl's wrist,
and pried the ring off her finger by force.
Under the dim hallway light, the engraving on the inside of the band didn't say *Lottie*.
It was this year's limited edition.
When Eugene and I went to buy it, it had been the last one in stock.
I held the ring in front of Eugene's face.
"Is this mine? Or did you buy two from the start?!"
"I'm the one who begged Gene to get it for me!"
The girl stepped in front of him before he could answer.
"Lottie, I'm sorry—it's all my fault. I know I don't deserve to be with Gene. I just… I only wanted to stay close to him, quietly, even if it was only for a little while…"
I looked past the top of her head and locked eyes with Eugene.
"So you bought two. You bought two from the very beginning?!"
No wonder the sales associate wanted us to sign that exclusive true-love agreement and he wouldn't do it.