The ring stared back at him.
Heart-shaped sapphire, deliberate and bright, lying abandoned on the dresser as if it meant nothing. Adrian sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, looking at it. The longer he looked, the more certain the conclusion became. Not because it made sense. Because fury always builds its own version of the truth.
She took it off. She left without telling him. She left in different clothes.
There was only one conclusion his mind allowed.
Jaden.
The name scraped across his restraint.
The front door clicked. Footsteps followed, hesitant, the careful pace of someone bracing for an argument. He didn't lift his head. He let the silence build. Only when her steps reached the bedroom doorway did he look up.
She froze.
Hair pulled back, the careful style from
