Chapter 79

I knew Lena wouldn't reply right away, not at this hour. So, I closed the chat and scrolled through my social media feed.

The first thing that popped up was a post from Steve—candid shots from last night, everyone clinking glasses and laughing.

But what caught my eye wasn't the celebration. It was a hand in the corner of the photo. Jace's hand. I recognized it instantly because of the ring. The one I gave him.

A weird mix of embarrassment and regret hit me hard. That ring was part of a matching set. I still had the other one. I'd bought them for $99.90 with my first paycheck when I turned eighteen.

I'd worn the women's version and gave him the men's. He teased me back then, saying I was trying to lock him down or something. But after that, he never wore it again.

When I hinted at it, he just brushed it off, saying wearing something like that would only invite ridicule.

It was too cheap.

I got it. A guy like Jace couldn't be caught dead with a cheap ring.

But that ring meant som