None of it Was Meant for Me

I steadied myself, my voice trembling as I asked, “How could you hide this? John’s shoulders sagged, his eyes fixed on the floor. “I didn’t think it would matter,” he whispered.

His explanation stung, each word widening the gap between us. Forty years of trust now lay shattered, replaced by a cold emptiness I couldn’t escape. I searched his face for answers, for any glimmer of truth, but all I found was regret and silence. This wasn’t a simple mistake. For decades, I had worn a ring meant for another woman, believing it symbolized our love. That realization crushed me, leaving me reeling in disbelief.