My boyfriend, Declan Howard, had a go-to trick that never missed: Every time we fought, he'd cozy up to my best friend, Elise Ford, betting I'd get jealous and cave first.   On our fifth anniversary, Elise video-called me again.   Declan stood in front of a high-end jewelry counter and fastened an expensive diamond necklace around her neck.   "I always made you take her hand-me-downs before. Today, I'm buying you new ones."   They wore loud matching couple's outfits, pressed so close together that there wasn't a sliver of space between them.   Declan made a point of glancing at the camera, his eyes gleaming with smug certainty that he could play me.   Elise taunted me, "Anna, just swallow your pride. If you don't hold on to such a great boyfriend, I might steal him away!"   Back then, the more I acted out, the smugger Declan got. He took it all as proof that I cared about him.   Eventually, I wised up.   Every time he pulled this disgusting stunt on me, I'd pick one of the gifts he'd given me and re-gift it to Elise as payback.   Handbags, perfumes, watches...   Instead of getting angry, Declan only grew more pleased with himself.   He treated it as a cute little game between us that proved I couldn't leave him, and saw it as my roundabout way of giving in.   When I said nothing, Declan snatched the phone from her, a teasing smirk curling at the corner of his mouth.   "Cat got your tongue? What piece of junk are you going to send over to apologize this time?"   I calmly raised my right hand and held up all five fingers.   "Since today is special, I'll give her the engagement ring."