Eleanor paused by the hallway mirror, straightening her blouse collar. The ring on her left hand glittered under the pendant light – beautiful, expensive, with a big diamond. Her husband Richard’s anniversary gift for fifteen years together. She turned her hand, admiring the stone’s sparkle, when familiar footsteps echoed down the hall.
“Ellie, ready yet?” Richard called from the kitchen. “Charlotte’s birthday party starts soon, we’ll be late.”
“Almost,” she replied, giving her reflection one last look. Forty-three but passing for thirty-five. Gym sessions, facials, clean eating paid off. Richard always bragged about his beautiful wife.
Richard stayed quiet during the drive. Eleanor stole glances at his sharp nose and strong jaw. Still handsome at forty-five, still turning heads.
“You’re miles away today,” she said, tracing her wedding band.
“Work stuff,” he answered shortly, eyes fixed on the road.
She nodded. Typical Richard – always clipped when stressed. His construction firm demanded constant attention.
Charlotte’s house buzzed with laughter and roast dinner smells. The hostess, Eleanor’s school friend since forever, rushed to hug them.
“Oh Ellie, lovely to see you!” Charlotte squeezed her tight. “And Richard, still gorgeous! Honestly, I envy you – catching such a handsome husband!”
Richard smiled without it reaching his eyes. Lately, Eleanor kept studying him like a puzzle.
“Come through, everyone!” Charlotte fussed. “Dinner’s served, guests are chatting!”
The living room was packed. Eleanor recognised most faces – mutual friends, Charlotte’s colleagues, neighbours. Richard stuck close but seemed distant.
“Eleanor!” a familiar voice called. “Long time no see!”
She turned to see Charles Wilson, her former colleague. A pleasant fiftysomething bloke, always gentlemanly.
“Charles! What a treat!” Eleanor genuinely smiled. “How’s the family?”
“Oh, grand. And you! Blooming every year,” he said admiringly. “And that ring! Richard, you old romantic!”
Eleanor glanced at Richard. A shadow crossed his face.
“Cheers,” he said flatly. “Eleanor deserves nice things.”
Charles sensed tension and drifted off. Eleanor wanted to ask Richard what was wrong, but Charlotte interrupted: “Everyone! To the table!”
Dinner flowed warmly. Eleanor sat between Richard and Charlotte’s neighbour Margaret, a lively older lady. Chat turned to marriage, careers, kids.
“You two never had children, love?” Margaret asked between cake bites.
Eleanor’s chest tightened. That forever-painful question.
“Not yet,” she murmured.
“Oh, not to worry!” Margaret flapped her hand. “Plenty of time! Least you’ve got each other. And that ring! Your hubby must adore you.”
Eleanor automatically glanced at her ring – spotting Richard’s sudden tension. His fists clenched, gaze pinned to his plate.
“You alright?” she whispered.
“Fine,” he muttered.
The evening blurred. Eleanor smiled and chatted mechanically, mind stuck on Richard’s behaviour. Something big was off.
Richard stayed silent during the drive home. Soft radio tunes filled the car as city lights streamed past.
“Richard, be straight with me,” she broke the quiet. “What’s going on?”
“Just knackered.”
“But when they mentioned the ring—”
“What about it?” he snapped, knuckles whitening on the wheel. Her pulse quickened.
“Pull over. Let’s talk properly.”
He stopped roadside, killed the engine. “Talk about what?”
“This… distance,” she turned fully towards him. “You’re hiding something.”
Richard stared through the windshield silently, then sighed heavily.
“Truth about the ring?”
“What truth?” Her stomach dropped.
“This ring…” He paused. “Wasn’t meant for you.”
The words hung between them. Eleanor’s world tilted.
“What?”
“I bought it…” he still wouldn’t look at her. “For someone else. To propose to her.”
Eleanor froze. The ring suddenly felt icy foreign on her finger.
“Who?” Her voice sounded oddly calm.
“Natalie. From accounts. We’d been… seeing each other six months.”
Eleanor shut her eyes. Natalie. Pretty twenty-eight-year-old blonde she’d seen at Richard’s office parties.
“And?”
“She dumped me.” Richard gave a bitter laugh. “Said she wouldn’t wreck a marriage. Called me too old… said I had a wife.”
“So you gave it to me instead,” Eleanor stated.
“Yeah. Thought you
And as autumn leaves swirled past her new balcony, Eleanor finally understood that letting go wasn’t losing but clearing space for something real to grow.