![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/476444262_1070464291781861_8531374677022749492_n-240x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The moment recognizing the delicate gold bracelet wrapped around Stephanie\u2019s wrist, my breath caught. I knew that bracelet. It\u2019s is my bracelet.<\/p>\n
Life had been happy before I ended up in the hospital.
\nToby and I had been married for three years, building a couple life. Most nights, he came home, barely having time to ask about my day. But I never complained.<\/p>\n
One evening, as we sat on the couch, I pressed his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t wait until we have our own place,\u201d I said<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d he sighed. \u201cI just need a little more time to save up. Houses are ridiculously expensive right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut when we finally get one, I want a big kitchen. And a backyard.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor a dog?\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor a baby,\u201d I corrected with a grin.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/anticipation-mother-freshness-love-happiness_1112-944-300x200.webp\")
\nImage for illustrative purpose only.
\nHis expression softened, and he kissed my forehead. \u201cWe\u2019ll get there.\u201d
\nWhen he left for a work trip that Friday, I seldomly thought twice about it. His job required travel.<\/p>\n
However, a decision I would soon regret.<\/p>\n
For a split second, I was weightless. Then, I smashed to the floor.<\/p>\n
A sharp, searing pain shot through my leg. My vision blurred as I gasped for air, struggling to move. Gritting my teeth, I reached for my phone for calling 911.<\/p>\n
Minutes later, paramedics arrived.<\/p>\n
At the hospital, the doctor confirmed that I had broken my leg.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll need to stay for a few days,\u201d the doctor said after wrapping my leg in a cast.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to monitor the swelling before you can go home.\u201d<\/p>\n
As soon as he left, I grabbed my phone and called Toby.<\/p>\n
He answered immediately. \u201cKate? Hey! How\u2019s my beautiful wife doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToby,\u201d I whispered. \u201cI\u2026 I broke my leg.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d \u201cHow? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI fell off a ladder while cleaning.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/blurred-background-abstract-blur-beautiful-luxury-hospital-clinic-interior-background-vintage-effect-style-pictures_1253-1364-300x225.webp\")
\nImage for illustrative purpose only.
\n\u201cJesus, Kate.\u201d I heard rustling on the other end. \u201cI\u2019m coming home. I\u2019ll cut my trip short.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t argue. I should be there with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tears pricked my eyes. \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n
As we spoke, the door opened, and a nurse walked in.
\n\u201cYou must be Kate,\u201d she said with a warm smile. \u201cI\u2019m Stephanie. I\u2019ll be taking care of you while you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNice to meet you,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about a thing,\u201d she assured me. \u201cWe\u2019ll take great care of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over time, we talked about our lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo,\u201d she asked one evening, fluffing my pillows, \u201cdo you have kids?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot yet,\u201d I admitted. \u201cMy husband and I want to buy a house first.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/portrait-smiling-asian-nurse-looking-camera-crossing-arms_554837-111-640x427-1-300x200.webp\")
\nImage for illustrative purpose only.
\n\u201cThat\u2019s smart. Kids are expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n
I smiled. \u201cWhat about you? Are you married?\u201d<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cNo, but I\u2019m seeing someone. Nothing serious yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next day, when Stephanie walked into my room, I saw something.<\/p>\n
A bracelet.
\nNot just any bracelet. A delicate gold chain with a small heart charm which my grandmother had given me. The same bracelet I had lost a month ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a beautiful bracelet,\u201d I said, forcing a smile. \u201cWhere did you get it?\u201d<\/p>\n
She smiled. \u201cMy boyfriend gave it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s sweet,\u201d I said. \u201cWhen did he give it to you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA month ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/closeup-shot-bride-s-hands_181624-40806-640x427-1-300x200.webp\")
\nImage for illustrative purpose only.
\nMemories came back.
\nI had been getting ready for a party when I realized my bracelet was missing.<\/p>\n
Now, as I stared at the bracelet on Stephanie\u2019s wrist, the pieces clicked into place.<\/p>\n
Toby had taken it and given it to her.<\/p>\n
My heart pounded as I scrolled through my phone until I found a photo of Toby and me from our anniversary dinner. I turned the screen toward Stephanie.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this your boyfriend?\u201d<\/p>\n
Her smile faded. \u201cHow do you know him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause that\u2019s my husband.\u201d
\nShe looked at the bracelet, then back at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2026 He told me he was single,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, he did,\u201d I said bitterly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe I trusted him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re willing to help me, we can make him confess when he visits tonight,\u201d I suggested.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/young-couple-with-pregnancy-sitting-hospital-ward-bed_482257-15424-640x427-1-300x200.webp\")
\nImage for illustrative purpose only.
\nThat evening, Toby arrived looking frantic and exhausted.<\/p>\n
\u201cKate, baby, I got here as soon as I could,\u201d he said. \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n
Before I could respond, the door opened. Two police officers entered. Stephanie followed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n
Stephanie pointed at the bracelet. \u201cShe says you stole that and gave it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Toby\u2019s brows shot up. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright\u2026 I did it.\u201d<\/p>\n
I stared at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI stole the bracelet,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI took it from Kate\u2019s jewelry box and gave it to Stephanie. I met her after an argument with Kate. It wasn\u2019t supposed to be serious, but things happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
Toby tried to apologize.
\n\u201cDon\u2019t,\u201d I said calmly. \u201cJust leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
And that was the last time I saw him. Our divorce was finalized soon after.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The moment recognizing the delicate gold bracelet wrapped around Stephanie\u2019s wrist, my breath caught. I knew that bracelet. It\u2019s is my bracelet. Life had been happy before… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":21171,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n