He almost never had.
Thinking about all of this, I absentmindedly touched the bracelet on my wrist.
Three years. I'd never once taken it off.
The bracelet was a gift from my sister.
On the day of the wedding, she said she wasn't feeling well.
I waited at home for a long time. The makeup artist had already rushed me three times.
But Mom was impatient—with me, not with her.
"What's the hurry? Just wait a little longer. Your sister will be here any minute."
It wasn't until we truly couldn't delay any longer that Mom reluctantly sent me off.
I sat in the wedding car, watching the world slide past through the window.
Even as the car pulled away, I kept thinking—would she suddenly appear?
She'd promised me. She said on my wedding day, she would put the veil on me herself.
She never came.
That evening, after the ceremony was over and the last of the guests had gone, I sat at home, listening to the sounds outside.
The door opened. Footsteps approached. Someone stopped in front of me.
"Theresa."
Rod's voice carried a smile.
I looked up. He stood before me in his suit, bow tie still perfectly knotted.
I suddenly didn't know what to say. I just lowered my head and stared at my own hands.
My palms were slick with sweat.
"Tired?"
I shook my head.
He sat down beside me and took my hand in his.
I looked up at him. His eyes were bright, and I could see my own reflection in them.
"Starting today, you're my wife."
I nodded.
He smiled and pulled a small box from his pocket. Inside was a bracelet. The design wasn't anything extravagant—simple, understated—but when he held it out to me, his hand was trembling.
"I don't have much money. I saved up six months of my salary for this. I hope you don't think it's too plain."
I took it and slipped it onto my wrist.
It was a little tight. He adjusted the clasp for me until it sat just right.
I looked up at him. "It's beautiful."
He grinned—this big, goofy grin.
That night, he said so many things.
He said he'd been too busy with his startup, that he felt guilty for neglecting me. He said he'd work hard to give me a good life.
I listened, tucking every word away in my heart.
Then he said something I never forgot.
"Everyone else chases what's bright and glamorous. All I see is you."
I believed him.
On the newlywed visit to my parents' house, I finally saw my sister.
Rod was supposed to come with me, but something came up at the office at the last minute. He didn't make it.
So he never got to meet her.
She was lying in bed, her face pale. The moment she saw me, her eyes turned red.
I walked over and took her hand. Her fingers were cold—so much colder than mine.
"I'm sorry, Theresa. I'm so sorry I couldn't be at your wedding."
I told her it was fine, that the only thing that mattered was her getting better.
She reached into the nightstand drawer and took out a box, handing it to me.
I opened it. Inside was a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra bracelet in red.
Far more expensive than the one on my wrist.
"This is the gift I got for you," she said, her smile soft and gentle. "I wanted to put it on you myself, but…"
Her eyes reddened again before she could finish.
I squeezed her hand. "Don't be sad. I'll wear it right now."
I reached for the clasp on my wrist, ready to swap it for hers.
She pressed down on my hand. "Don't take that one off. Wear them both."
I did as she said and put both bracelets on.
Hers was exquisite, and it sat heavy on my wrist.
I kept looking down at it, turning my arm this way and that. Something warm spread through my chest.
"Theresa," she said, holding my hand. "I wish you and him a lifetime together. I wish you happiness, always."
I looked up at her.
She was pale and drawn, but her eyes were so beautiful. So sincere.
