A bone-deep chill settled into my soul, freezing every corner of my being.
While my New Year’s Eve was drenched in solitude and despair, theirs unfolded as a grand spectacle celebrated by an entire city.
Clutching the edge of my coat, I let out a hollow laugh. With the urging of impatient voices behind me in the blessing line, I meticulously wrote, “Eternal happiness, everlasting love,” each stroke deliberate and mocking my own misery. I hung the cloth strip on the wishing tree, the irony biting deep.
With the crisp 1,000 dollars in hand, I headed back home.
When Nolan returned, he carried a velvet box in his hand.
“Baby, I’m sorry,” he said with a practiced tenderness. “I stopped by to pick up a New Year’s gift, so I was a little late. But I made it back in time to spend New Year’s Eve with you.”
A bitter laugh echoed in my heart. What jewelry store would be open on New Year’s Eve?
I had trusted him so blindly, never realizing how painfully obvious his lies had been all along.
He slipped a ruby ring onto my finger, the same one I had casually admired in a magazine at the airport long ago.
Holding my hand, Nolan sighed, his voice laced with what seemed like genuine admiration.
“It’s stunning. The moment I saw it, I knew this ruby was meant for you.”
But my gaze fell on the kiss marks and faint scratches marring his collar, their presence burning into my eyes like searing flames. I pulled my hand back awkwardly, the ring suddenly feeling like a shackle.
“How’s Troy doing?” I asked my tone light but pointed.
Nolan hesitated, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face before he forced a faint smile.
“Of course, I put him in his place. It’s disgusting, leaving his wife at home to mess around on New Year’s Eve.”
I fixed my eyes on him, my voice dropping to a soft murmur. “Then don’t spend time with him anymore.”
“Betraying his wife’s love,” I added, each word deliberate, “he deserves nothing less than hell.”
For a fleeting moment, guilt flashed across Nolan’s face, mingling with a trace of panic. He reached out to pull me into his arms.
“Alright, baby,” he said, his tone almost too smooth. “I’ll do as you say.”
As he drew closer, the faint scent of jasmine on him turned my stomach.
Images of their tangled betrayal looped endlessly in my mind, each one cutting deeper than the last.
I pushed him away abruptly, a wave of nausea rolling through me.
Nolan froze, his expression shifting to concern as his gaze darted to my hand resting on my stomach.
“Are you feeling unwell?” he asked eagerly. “I’ll call Dr. Zimmerman right now.”
I shook my head slowly. “Maybe the New Year’s dinner was too greasy. It’s just making me a little nauseous.”
He exhaled in relief, his shoulders relaxing. “Alright. I’ll whip up some cereal to help settle your stomach.”
Before I could respond, he turned and disappeared into the kitchen.
When the cereal was ready, he placed it carefully on the table in front of me, the steam curling into the air. I took a small sip, but my appetite was already gone.
“Sorry,” I murmured, setting the spoon down gently. “I didn’t mean to waste your effort.”
Nolan reached out, his fingers brushing through my hair with an affectionate touch.
“Silly girl,” he said warmly, “even if you only ate a single grain of it, it’d still be worth every bit of effort to me.”
I turned my head, sidestepping his touch, and decided to test the waters.
“It’s so late, and Dione still hasn’t come home. Why don’t you go out and look for her?”
The tenderness on Nolan’s face dimmed noticeably.
“Just scolded her a little, and she stormed out. Don’t know who spoiled her to be this way.”
“She can come back if she wants. If not, so be it!”
As if on cue, the door creaked open, and Dione walked in, her bare legs catching the light.
Nolan’s frown deepened. “Look at the time. You went out without a word and made your sister worry all night.”
Dione’s lips curled in a sly smirk, her gaze flicking to me with subtle intent.
“Sorry, sister. I was on a date. My boyfriend got a little clingy, so I came back late.”
“But you’re experienced; you must understand how hard it is to resist passion, right?”
I nodded, offering a faint smile that never reached my eyes. “As long as you’re back.”
“What kind of boyfriend has you so smitten with? Bring him over sometime, and I’ll see if he’s worth it.”
Dione clung to my hand, feigning coyness. “Hmm, my boyfriend’s amazing. Even brother-in-law knows him.”
I didn’t miss the flicker of unease in Nolan’s eyes.
