That was around the time I had searched our apartment high and low, heartbroken over losing that very bracelet. Toby had reassured me. “You probably misplaced it,” he said.
I showed Stephanie a photo from our anniversary—Toby and me, smiling. Her expression changed instantly. “Wait… how do you know him?”
“He’s my husband,” I said.
She looked stunned. “He told me he was single.”
“He told me he was away for work.”
We both sat there, trying to process it. Then I asked her to help me uncover the truth.
Stephanie hesitated, then gently removed the bracelet and placed it in my hand. “It’s yours. I didn’t know. Let’s do this the right way.”
That evening, Toby came to visit, full of concern. But moments later, Stephanie returned—with two officers by her side.
“She says this bracelet was taken without her permission,” she told them calmly.
Toby faltered. Finally, he admitted, “I made a mistake. I gave it to her without telling Kate. I didn’t think she’d notice.”
The officers turned to me. “Would you like to press charges?”
“No,” I replied. “But I won’t be staying in this marriage.”
Our divorce was finalized soon after. It wasn’t easy. But it was necessary.
Today, I still wear the bracelet. Not as a reminder of loss—but of self-worth and strength. I learned I could walk away from what didn’t honor me—and that’s the real treasure.