I replied softly, "If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now. I’m busy with work."
Since that day, my relationship with Erik had cooled into an uneasy calm.
A few days later, his mother invited me over for dinner—something that had never happened before. She’d always looked down on me, seeing only Polly as the rightful daughter-in-law. Still, I decided not to refuse.
When I arrived by taxi, Erik’s mother was directing his friends to set the table. As soon as she saw me, a hush fell over the room, and someone muttered, “Why invite her? She won’t let Erik drink with us.”
Ignoring the comment, I took a seat. Shortly after, Erik arrived—with Polly by his side.
I noticed Polly had removed the ring from her hand. She moved casually into the kitchen, chatting warmly with his mother as if she belonged there.
Then, Erik sat down beside me and pulled out the ring, holding it up proudly as if it were something precious. Without a hint of hesitation, he looked at me and lied smoothly, “I told you—it was in the car the whole time.”