Chapter 1

Ethan forgot our wedding anniversary for the fifth time.

At two in the morning, he pushed open the door. He reeked of alcohol and someone else's perfume, his voice buzzing with excitement. "Sophia's getting divorced! This is my chance!"

I stood there, the wound on my left shoulder still throbbing quietly where the sixteen stitches held it together. I had taken that knife for him three days ago. He still didn't know.

"Ethan," I said softly, "let's get divorced."

He paused, then laughed. "Sure! Even after the divorce, you'll still be my best friend. Oh, and come help me pick out an engagement ring tomorrow. Your fingers are about the same size as hers. Try it on for me."

I stared at that completely unbothered face of his and suddenly felt that these twenty-two years of loving him in silence had been nothing but a joke I had played on myself.

I slipped the plain silver band off my finger and set it on the table.

That ring had cost me next to nothing. I had worn it for five years.

Now, at last, it didn't have to lie for anyone anymore.