iamond ring, not too flashy, but elegant. It was for Sarah.

in the city, the kind of place Sarah always talked ab

ut that wasn't unusual. She was ambitious and o

d. But she wasn't alone. She was with Mark Peterson, a senior

ing led to a private balcony, the best spot in

. Maybe it was a su

e got down on one knee in front of Mark. I couldn't hear the words,

d kissed her deeply. The whole

my hand felt like a block of ice. It was my birthday. And

d out my phone. I didn't cal

ng. "Ethan, happy birthday!

ened to the cheering for Sara

Are yo

aw whisper. "Mom... abou

n the other end. "W

, the words tasting

e phone. "Oh, Ethan! That's wonderful news! Your fath

m champagne. I watched as Mark put his arm around Sarah' s waist, a possessive, triumphant ge

er voice buzzing with excitement. "The heiress to

I said

ou to meet her tomorr

ed on Sarah's smiling fac

et mine. Her smile froze. Shock, then guilt, then panic

a hundred-dollar bill on the table,

d someone say, "Congratulations to t

er even knew she was dating

rs. For five years, I was

zzed. A tex

got held up at work. On my wa

the custom cake I had ordered for us, with "Happy B

for a second, and then droppe

y. All the love I thought had filled these walls was a lie.