I pulled the wedding ring off my finger. My lips twisted into a bitter smile, and I tossed it aside.
That ring was the first gold band Dominic ever bought me. He'd stood in the snow handing out flyers for two months to afford it.
Gold was eight hundred eighty-eight dollars for ten grams, and ten grams was what he gave me. It cost us a full year's rent.
I scolded him for spending so recklessly and insisted we return it.
But Dominic kissed me, deep and tender.
"Joanna, I swear I will never let you suffer for being with me."
Yet from the day he brought Stephanie home, I had suffered more than I could count.
I curled up helplessly against the headboard.
Josephine finished clearing the dishes and lingered, wanting to say something but holding back.
"Ma'am, some things... it's better to let go. Love is the least important thing."
So she had known all along.
Three years of trust collapsed in an instant. I bit down hard on my lower lip to keep from crying out loud.
I didn't know how much time passed before I gripped the edge of the bed and stood.
"Josephine, take me to the studio."
"I need to be alone for a while."
Josephine dropped me off at the studio and left.