That’s when I noticed it.
Between two bruised apples was a small flash of light.
Gold.
Shiny.
At first, I assumed it was cheap costume jewelry.
But when I picked it up, its weight told me otherwise.
A real diamond ring.
Heavy. Solid. Valuable.
My stomach tightened.
For a moment, my thoughts ran wild.
The van repairs.
The leaking roof.
Bills I kept pushing forward.
Groceries without counting every cent.
Then Maisie laughed.
I looked at my kids.
Messy. Loud. Perfect.
This wasn’t mine.
Even if no one ever knew, I would.
And I couldn’t teach my children that desperation justified dishonesty.
Not after the promises I made.
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