After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage novel Chapter 56

With the wedding imminent, I still had a few essentials to collect.

Gavin, clearly out of his element, insisted on accompanying me. Being virtual strangers, I couldn't politely decline.

We passed a boutique jewelry store where an overly enthusiastic clerk practically pulled us inside. Her effervescent manner made refusal impossible.

The shop's intimate ambiance was surprisingly comforting.

As I browsed the rings, one particular design caught my eye.

I was about to stop Gavin from purchasing it when fatigue washed over me. As I turned to leave, a familiar voice cut through the air.

"Yvonne!"

The staff tittered like audiences of a soap opera.

I turned, face impassive, to find Luke clutching the ring I'd been examining. He looked uncertain, almost vulnerable. "Remember this design?"

How could I forget?

Years ago, Luke had sketched this ring – a sapphire with a hidden inscription. Nothing ostentatious, but it had made my heart race.

It never materialized. Life intervened.

Luke stepped forward, reaching for my hand.

"I know you're jealous of Mandy, but she's just—"

"Luke," I cut him off firmly. "We're done."

I linked arms with Gavin, who seamlessly played along, reading the situation.

Luke tried to intercept us, but we walked past.

Behind us, chaos erupted.

Luke was frantically digging through the trash, a man unhinged.