Unused Wedding Rings

Clara Devereux sat in the corner of the living room of the luxurious apartment she shared with Blake Hawthorne, her fiancé of five years. Her hand was clutching a cup of tea that had gone cold, but her mind didn't care; warm or cold, it tasted the same: bland. For weeks, she had felt that something had changed about Blake. The thirty-year-old handsome man who used to be attentive and never forgot to reply to her messages was now often late home without explanation. He never returned Clara's messages or picked up her calls anymore.

Clara stared at her phone, hesitating to open the photo gallery. There was nothing suspicious there, just portraits of them together, romantic dinners, trips to the beach, and the engagement party celebrated a year ago. However, what happened in the last few days made all those moments feel like a big lie.

Clara remembers the incident a week ago when she picked up Blake's phone to check the time. That's when she accidentally read the notification of an incoming message. The sender was "S," and the short message broke her heart.

[Thank you for a fantastic night. I won't forget you.]

Since then, Clara felt like their wall of trust was crumbling. Although she tried to put her suspicions aside, Blake's behaviour only exacerbated her worries. He'd been daydreaming, occasionally smiling while staring at his phone, and Clara knew it wasn't because of his work.

It culminated tonight, however, when Blake proudly presented her with a birthday present. A small box with a gold ribbon was placed in front of her.

"For you, sweetheart. I wanted to show you how much I love you," Blake said with a smile.

Clara opened the box carefully. Inside was a luxury watch, shining with a custom-made elegant design. She touched the surface, relieved that Blake remembered her birthday, even though their relationship had been strained lately.

"Thank you, darling," Clara said, feeling touched.

However, as she turned the watch over, her eyes were immediately drawn to the engraving on the back. Two simple words, but enough to break her heart, "Sophia Collins."

Clara felt her body freeze. She stared at Blake, hoping there was a reasonable explanation for this. However, Blake's smile faded when he saw Clara's expression.

"Who is Sophia Collins?" Clara's voice was shaky, but she tried to appear calm.

Blake was silent for a few seconds, taking too long to answer a simple question. "It was just a mistake from the watch shop," he said, his voice sounding hurried. "I ordered this watch especially for you, maybe they got the name wrong."

Clara raised an eyebrow, incredulous. "Wrong engraving? So, the watch shop randomly decided to write the name Sophia Collins? In fact, you as the buyer are clearly standing in front of it and it seems like this name engraving is done right then and there, you can wait. Or at least they prepared paper to write the name on, they can't be wrong."

Blake let out a long sigh. "Clara, don't make this a big deal. I'll return it and have them fix it."

However, Clara wanted more. The watch was tangible proof that someone else was in Blake's life.

"Maybe you could start by explaining who Sophia is," Clara said, her voice growing colder.

"I told you, I don't know who she is! Don't prolong it!" Blake entered the kitchen and opened the cupboards, looking for an excuse to avoid Clara's gaze.

Clara clenched her fists, trying to hold back the tears that were about to fall. It wasn't about the watch or the engraved name. It was about all the changes she felt, all the little moments that felt awkward, as if this was a sign that there was another woman in her fiancé's heart.

He picked up his phone, thinking of checking again to see if he had missed something. Another message from "S" appeared on the screen of Blake's phone lying on the kitchen table. She glanced at Blake, who had his back to her and quickly picked up the phone.

The message read: [I'll be waiting at the usual place. Remember our appointment.]

Clara felt her chest tighten. Her fingers trembled as she opened the conversation. There was no name other than "S." All the previous messages had been deleted, but it was clear that Blake was hiding something from her.

"Clara, I told you it was a misunderstanding." Blake suddenly said, turning around. He paused to see Clara holding her cell phone.

"So, you didn't even bother to change the contact name?" Clara asked, looking at him with disappointment.

Blake stepped closer, trying to take her phone, but Clara moved away.

"Don't be like this, Clara! You'll only hurt yourself. Give me back my phone!" she said in a tone that sounded like a subtle threat.

"Who is Sophia Collins? And who is this 'S'?" Clara demanded, her voice almost breaking.

Blake didn't answer. He just stood there, frozen like a statue.

***

That night, Clara decided to leave the apartment without another word. She went to her best friend Elena's house and spent the night there. Elena tried to calm her down, but Clara knew the only way to find answers was to face Blake again.

The next day, she returned to the apartment. Blake had gone to work, but Clara's curiosity made her decide to find out more. She opened Blake's laptop, which was often used for work. With a little effort, she managed to open Blake's email.

Hundreds of emails containing business conversations appeared, but one name caught her attention: Sophia Collins. Clara opened the email. Most were formal conversations, but a few felt too personal.

[I'm glad we could spend time together despite our busy schedules. I hope to see you again soon.]

Clara bit her lip, trying to contain the anger burning in her chest. Sophia wasn't just an engraving mistake on a watch; something was between them. Blake was able to make time for Sophia but not for Clara.

***

When Blake came home that night, Clara was waiting for him. She was sitting on the couch with her watch in her hand and Blake's laptop on the table.

"I want answers, Blake. Be honest with me!" Clara said in a stern tone.

Blake looked at his laptop and then at Clara. His face was pale, but he tried to smile. "Did you read my email?"

"You left me no choice."

Blake took a deep breath and sat down opposite her. "Sophia's just an old friend. I'm just helping her through a difficult time."

"Old friend? A friend who's special enough to get a watch with her name engraved on it?" Clara cut in, not wanting to be lied to again.

Blake was silent. For the first time, Clara saw the doubt on his face.

"I don't know how to explain it." Blake finally said.

Clara rose to her feet. "Then I'll find out for myself."

She turned around and walked determinedly towards the door. However, before she could open it, Blake said something that made her stop.

"Clara, I never wanted to hurt you. But, there are things you don't understand."

Clara turned her body around, looking at Blake sharply. "What don't I understand, Blake? That my fiancé might be having an affair?"

Blake looked at her but said nothing more. That was enough for Clara. She opened the door and left, leaving Blake alone in the getting-colder apartment.

Outside, Clara pulled out her cell phone and searched for Sophia Collins. Whatever she found, she knew that her life would never be the same again.

On her phone screen, an article appeared: [Sophia Collins, the woman who was the victim of an accident, was found dead on the spot.]

Clara felt her body go limp. The engraving on the watch, the mysterious messages, and Blake's suddenly changed demeanour felt like pieces of a bigger and much darker puzzle than she had ever imagined.

"So, that Sophia Collins is dead?"