“Then what is it?” she asks, finally looking at me properly. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you bought your ex a fifteen-thousand-pound bracelet and spent the evening smiling at her like nothing’s changed.”
I shake my head, stepping closer again. “I didn’t buy it for her.”
She lets out a small, disbelieving laugh. “Rory… I saw it on her.”
“I didn’t. It wasn’t for her” I say firmly.
She goes quiet. And for a second, I can see her hesitation. The crack in her certainty. But the doubt is still there.
“You thought I bought that for her?” I ask quietly.
She swallows. “Why wouldn’t I?”
I don’t answer straight away. Instead, I reach into my pocket and pull out the box. Her eyes drop to it immediately.
“What’s that?” she asks, her voice suddenly smaller.
I hold it out to her. “Open it.”
She doesn’t move. “Rory…”
“Just open it.”
Slowly, cautiously, she takes the box from my hand. Her fingers tremble slightly as she flips it open. And then she stills completely. Her breath catches in her throat. Because there it is. The bracelet. The gold links. The small key. The diamond catching the light. But this time… It’s hers. She looks up at me, eyes wide.
“I bought it for you,” I say quietly.
She shakes her head slightly, like she’s trying to process it. “But… the photo…”
“She asked to try it on, she was admiring it” I explain. “I didn’t think anything of it. I didn’t even realise anyone was taking pictures. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have let her.”
Her gaze drops back to the bracelet. Her fingers brush over it. And then she turns it slightly and sees the engraving. She heaves a deep breath.
“What is…?” she whispers, reading the engraving.
12.05.2001
The date. The day I moved to Oakwood. The day I met her. When she was eight years old and bossy and already telling me where I was allowed to play.
Her hand flies to her mouth.
“Oh my God…”
“I wanted something that meant something,” I say, my voice quieter now. “Not just something expensive. Something… ours.”
Her eyes fill instantly. “Rory…”
“I’ve never bought anything for Sienna like that,” I continue. “Not once. Not in all the years I was with her. In fact, I’ve never bought anything for anyone like that.”
She looks at me again. Really looks this time.
“And I never would.”
Her lip trembles slightly. “I thought…”
“I know what you thought,” I say gently. “But you’re wrong.”
A tear slips down her cheek. “I felt so stupid,” she whispers.
