So yeah, I said yes. But not because I was in love. Because I needed to know if he was.

Did Ryan want a life with me? Or did he want a lifestyle that came with a marble kitchen and a fridge smarter than most people? I needed to be sure.

Kitchen supplies

So I smiled, slid the ring on, and started planning the trap.

One week later, I called him in tears.

“Ryan?” I sniffled, letting just enough panic bleed into my voice. “I got fired.

They said it was restructuring but I don’t know… Everything’s just… falling apart.”

“Oh… wow. That’s… unexpected,” he said slowly, like his brain was trying to pull the words out of sludge. “I know,” I whispered.

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