Chapter 4 The next morning, I went to the jewelry store and ran right into them. The sales clerk was showing them gold bracelets while Vera rested her fingers on Gabriel's hand, smiling sweetly. "I want this one - the heaviest one. It's gorgeous." Another clerk glanced at my faded jacket with obvious disdain. 'Ma'am, we don't buy back old jewelry here. If you're looking to sell, try the pawn shop at the end of the alley." Cold sweat broke out in my palms as I gripped the wooden box. When Gabriel turned around, the smile on his face froze instantly, Tera had already linked arms with him and walked over, showing off the gold bracelet on her wrist. "Oh, so sorry! I was going to pick one out for you oo, but I didn't want you to think it was too expensive." sabriel avoided my eyes and said stiffly: "I had a good month commission-wise. I was actually planning to... buy you a gold ring." Don't bother." I clutched the box tighter and turned to leave. "You two take your time shopping." went to an old established pawn shop instead and sold all the jewelry from the wooden box, putting every cent into my own bank account. Valking past a print shop, I made three copies of divorce papers. fter reading through the agreement, a breeze crept in through the window cracks, making me shiver, but it also blew away the last trace of ttachment I had. ack at our tiny rental, the small table was set with delicious food - all my favorite comfort foods. abriel was wearing the apron I'd mended for him, just bringing the last plate of honey glazed chicken to the table. Then he saw me come in, he immediately rushed over to take my bag. "What took you so long? The food's getting cold." fter I put the baby to sleep, I quietly sat at the table and picked up my fork. abriel placed a piece of chicken in my bowl, his voice unusually warm. The company's sending me on a business trip next week. I'll be gone about two weeks, but I'll bring you back something nice." hen he pulled a small jewelry box from the drawer. Inside was a silver cross necklace. I bought this for the kid. This month's bonus wasn't much, so it'll have to do for now. Once I get promoted to department manager at year-end, I'll get he baby a gold one right away and buy you a gold ring too." abriel sounded so sincere. If I hadn't caught him buying Vera the most expensive gold bracelet in the store this morning, I might have actually elieved this belated show of affection. looked up at him, my fork frozen mid-air. Is the company really sending you on business, or are you going on vacation with Vera?" ¡abriel's soup spoon crashed onto the table with a loud clang, his face instantly darkening. What the hell are you talking about? It's just a business trip - why are you dragging Vera into this?" You're sitting at home all day with nothing to do, so your mind's going to weird places!" He grabbed his jacket from the chair and stormed out, slamming the old wooden door so hard it shook the whole place. stared at the gradually cooling food on the table, then pulled out the divorce papers from the drawer. Carefully, I signed my name at the bottom and placed the agreement under his regular coffee mug. After packing up all my things, I held my baby and got on the bus back to my hometown. Two weeks later, Gabriel came home humming a tune, carrying a bag with duty-free shop logos. "Honey, I'm back!" The empty room echoed only with the sound of wind blowing the curtains. All my clothes had vanished from the closet, the baby's crib was gone too, leaving just faint impressions on the mattress. Gabriel's shopping bag hit the floor with a thud. He immediately pulled out his phone to call me, but the calls wouldn't go thr Suddenly, he spotted the divorce papers under his coffee mug, and his whole hand started shaking uncontrollably.