The Ring He Never Gave Me

The next time I brought up marriage, Lucas took my hand, his eyes dripping with affection.

"Elena, isn't what we have right now amazing? Aren't you happy?"

A familiar wave of helplessness washed over me.

I had accidentally overheard his mother telling him that dating me for fun was fine, but marrying me was out of the question—he deserved someone better.

And Lucas hadn't said a word to defend me.

That was the moment I finally made up my mind to walk away and never look back.

Later, he would drop to his knees, sobbing, begging me to marry him.