There were so many other firsts she'd given me, gifts she'd poured her heart into, staying up until her eyes were red and raw to make with her own hands.
I'd kept every single one locked away in the safe. I couldn't let them go.
Later, as Ida's career took off, her gifts grew more expensive.
I accepted each one with the same joy, because they were proof that Ida had once loved me deeply.
But then came the second year after we moved into the mansion. That was when Humphrey appeared.
The vanity began filling up with luxury watches and bracelets from designer brands.
The closet started overflowing with the latest haute couture from every season.
Some of these pieces were worth hundreds of thousands. Some were worth millions. But they were no longer given out of love.
They were just apologies. Compensation. Hush money for the countless nights I'd spent waiting alone while she was with someone else.
I looked at all of it and walked past without touching a thing.
I packed only what was truly mine.
The day I finished, Ida happened to come home.
She saw the suitcase in my hand and frowned.
"Where are you going this time?"
She still thought I was just throwing a tantrum.