My hand went cold.
“Two?”
The saleswoman’s face changed instantly. She realized she had said something she should not have said.
“Yes… two identical bracelets.”
I do not know how I managed to stay calm. Inside, it felt as if everything was collapsing, but nothing moved on my face.
“Was the second one gift-wrapped too?” I asked.
She stayed silent for a moment.
Then she nodded.
I left the store with the bracelet still in its box. I sat in my car for a long time. I did not cry. I did not call him. I did not scream. At that moment, crying felt too weak compared to the pain growing inside me.
Twenty-six years.
Twenty-six years with the same man.
And now, two identical bracelets.
One for me.
The other for whom?
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That evening, I sat at the kitchen table. I placed the box in the center of the table. The lights were on, but the house had never felt so dark to me.
