Chapter 4: The Last Goodbye

Jackson seemed to be in a good mood, carrying a small, flat paper bag in one hand. His smile was rare, almost boyish, as if he was coming home from a surprise party instead of the office.

Even though I’d rehearsed my lines a dozen times in the mirror, my stomach twisted with nerves as I went to help him with his coat, my fingers fumbling at the sleeves.

When I finally looked up, our eyes met. I took a deep breath and tried to steady my voice:

"I have something to give you."

Jackson’s cold blue eyes softened just a touch, a real smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. He nodded, his voice warm for once: "Mm, I also have something for you."

I blinked, thrown off balance. "What is it?"

He seemed a little impatient, but not angry. Instead, he tugged me gently toward the sofa, sitting me down beside him. He pressed the paper bag into my hands.

I opened it and stared—inside was a ring, simple and elegant, just like the one I’d lost. Maybe even more beautiful. The metal caught the light, throwing rainbows across the coffee table.

Jackson’s hand was warm as he took my wrist, sliding the ring onto my finger. His touch lingered, thumb pressing against my skin. He said softly:

"Don’t lose it again this time. By the way, what was it you wanted to give me?"

"I..."

A sharp pain stabbed my heart, the words dying in my throat. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe, and all I could think was that this was the last time his hands would ever feel this warm, the last time I’d belong here at all.

I slid the divorce papers onto the table between us. His smile faded. For the first time, I wondered if I was about to break both our hearts.