But the ring was found. Yet Ellie had vanished from Stanley's life completely.
For three whole years, Stanley walked the earth like an empty shell, going through the motions every single day.
No matter where he was, no matter what he was doing, he kept seeing visions of Ellie right there beside him.
Longing for her was slow torture, death by a thousand cuts. Day and night, it never let up.
And his condition only got worse and worse with each passing day.
Once, he was out drinking with a few buddies at a private club, a woman walked in, and her side profile bore a faint resemblance to Ellie.
One glance was all it took. Three years of carefully built-up emotional barriers crumbled to dust in an instant.
He lunged forward wildly, wrapped his arms tight around her, and babbled out broke
