My husband gave me a diamond bracelet for our 26th anniversary… but when I took it to the jewelry store, the saleswoman whispered, «I remember him. He bought two of these last week.»
Martin was never the romantic type.
Over our 26 years of marriage, he had given me a multicooker, a winter coat, and—once—a vacuum cleaner, which he then proudly showed off to the neighbors.
I never took offense.
I knew his love wasn’t expressed in pretty words.
He didn’t say «I love you,» but he always checked the oil in my car. He didn’t give flowers, but in winter, he was the first one up in the morning to clear the snow before I left for work.
So, when he handed me a small dark-blue velvet box on our 26th anniversary, I actually thought he was playing a joke.
I opened it.
Inside lay an incredibly beautiful white gold and diamond bracelet.
I couldn’t even speak at first.
«Martin… It must have cost a fortune.»
He smiled.
«You deserve more.»
But for some reason, instead of joy, I felt a strange sense of unease.
The next day, I noticed the bracelet was a bit too big.
I found the store’s name on the card from the box and went there to have it resized.
The saleswoman smiled the moment she saw the piece.
«A beautiful design. Your husband made an excellent choice.»
I smiled back.
And then, quite calmly, she added:
«I remember him. He bought two of these last week.»
I froze.
«Excuse me… what?»
She looked at me and realized immediately that she had said too much.
«Two identical bracelets,» she repeated quietly. I tried to speak calmly.
«Did he have the second one wrapped as a gift, too?»
The saleswoman fell silent.
Then she nodded slowly.
I left the shop and got into my car.
The box was sitting on my lap.
I didn’t cry.
I didn’t call Martin.
I just stared at the bracelet and thought about one thing:
who had he bought the second one for?
A few hours later, I was sitting at the kitchen table at home.
The box was right in front of me.
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