?Chapter 518:

    She used to love rings. Loved the idea of honeymoons too. She’d told him more than once, even pointed out her favorite styles. But back then, he never cared.

    In the end, it was Haley who ended up with boxes of rings in every design imaginable, while Ste—Marc’s own wife—got nothing.

    Nothing except a leftover ring, a meaningless freebie he tossed her way while shopping for Haley.

    And the worst part? She’d actually celebrated it at the time, all wide-eyed and hopeful, despite the fact it didn’t even have a sparkle.

    Now he stood here, pulling out old memories like they meant something, like he wasn’t the one who’d crushed her. Was he trying to remind her how naive she used to be?

    “Marc, enough.” Her voice was firm. “I don’t want any rings or honeymoons anymore. And just so we’re clear, I’m not your poor ex-wife clinging to scraps.”

    “Stel, don’t be like this. I know deep down you still want those things,” he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a red velvet box.

    “I even bought you a ring.”

    When Ste saw the box, she almostughed. He had to be joking.

    “Marc, get that thing away from me.”

    “But it’s the one you liked! I remember! My heart’s always belonged to you. I’ve never stopped loving you. If you really want a divorce, I’ll propose to you all over again—right now!”

    Ste let out a sharp, bitterugh. “You think you’re that special? That I’d line up for a shot at being miserable?”

    “Stel—”

    She cut him off with a raised hand. “Don’t. Just don’t. Unless you want to see me angry again, leave.”

    But when she turned to go, Marc panicked. “This ring’s one of a kind—custom made! Don’t you even want to see it?”

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    Ste paused, amused by the desperation in his voice. Slowly, she turned back, snatched the ring from his hand, and held it up like it was nothing more than a trinket. “This is that valuable, huh?” Her voice was cool, deliberate.

    Marc nodded, his eyes lighting up with hope. “Yes, Stel. And if you’ll just be with me again, I’ll give you the world.”

    Ste gave a quiet snort—and flung the ring away.

    Marc’s jaw dropped. “Stel! Do you have any idea how much that cost?! Are you insane?!”

    “I don’t like it,” she said tly. “This is just a warning, Marc. Keep clinging to me, and next time it’ll be you I throw out.”

    With that, she turned and walked away without so much as a nce back. Marc hesitated, then scrambled around looking for the ring—he’d poured nearly all his money into that thing. He couldn’t just leave it behind.

    Back home, Ste took a long, hot shower and was stretched out on her bed, letting her hair air-dry when her phone buzzed on the nightstand.

    Sharon.

    She picked up. “What’s up?”

    “Are you busy?” Sharon’s voice sounded off.

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