Six Years of Misplaced Love

Three years after the proposal, we still hadn't gotten our marriage certificate.

I used to pester Milo about when we'd make it official. He'd just laugh, "Aren't we basically married already? What's a piece of paper gonna change?"

I hadn't argued but felt disappointed.

When I found out I was pregnant, I thought it would push him to marry me and give our child a proper family.

Now I rejoiced that we never formalized it, saving me a lot of trouble.

I touched my belly. The life in there was gone, and my heart no longer beat for Milo.

He frowned. "Jessica is an old friend. She has just got back and doesn't know anyone else here. What's wrong with celebrating her birthday? Stop getting jealous over nothing?"

I gave a bitter smile. My belly still ached faintly from the miscarriage, yet I felt a strange relief.

My child wouldn't be happy to have someone like Milo as his dad.

When I didn't respond, he tossed a box onto the table like it was an afterthought. "Alright, Jessica shouldn't have hung up on you. Take this as her apology."

It was a pink necklace, missing some diamonds. It was her style, not mine. I never liked pink.

Then I recalled the bracelet on her wrist yesterday. It was the Prince family's heirloom, passed down to the wives.

I had begged to try it on after his proposal, which was a fair request, but he had refused, saying it was for our wedding.

Believing him, I waited patiently for three years. Now Jessica was wearing it.

The one in front of me? It was probably some castoff she didn't want anymore, and Milo passed it to me.

I snorted, tossing the box in the trash. "I'm not a dumpster for her trash."

Milo's patience wore thin. He shot to his feet, glaring. "Jessica picked that to make up with you. You're gonna treat her kindness like that?"

His voice was thick with anger, but I wasn't scared. "She got your heirloom, and I got her trash. That's her idea of an apology? Admit it, you care about her way more than me. I'll just step aside and make way for her."

He took a deep breath, his face dark. "Are you serious?"

I nodded without hesitation. "Yes."

His eyes widened in disbelief. "I'm trying to make this right, and you're still jealous of Jessica? Get a grip! For the child's sake, chill out!"