Page 92 of Betrayed in the Dark
“I thought we weren’t exchanging gifts until tomorrow?” I ask, eyeing the box with suspicion.
“It’s not from me,” she answers, a smile tugging at her lips.
That piques my curiosity.
Furrowing my brows, I finish my wine and set the glass aside. Warily, I unwrap the red plaid wrapping paper, revealing a white jewelry box. “Who’s it from?”
“You’ll find out as soon as you open it.” She nudges my shoulder playfully before refilling my glass.
Opening the lid, I find a note lying on top of white tissue paper that reads…
This was my special item.
-Eli
My heart flutters as butterflies freely fall inside my stomach.
For a moment, I completely forget where I am or what I’m doing.
“What is it?” Scarlett asks.
“I—I don’t know,” I reply, my hands trembling as I carefully peel away a thin layer of tissue paper. Beneath it, I find a silver necklace. My fingers wrap around the sturdy beaded chain, holding it steady in front of me. A worn-looking dog tag hangs from the center, noticeably thicker than I would expect. The engraved name, Eli Lyon, stands out against the scratches and dents on the metal. I run my thumb across it, feeling my throat go dry.
“I think…” Scarlett leans closer for a better look. “I think it opens.”
I run my finger along the edge and feel an indent. With two fingers, I gently pull on each side until it clicks open.
Everything freezes.
My heart.
Earth.
Time.
Everything.
Nothing else in the world matters as I stare at what’s inside the locket.
“It’s me,” I whisper, completely overwhelmed.
On one side, there is a simple engraving that reads, “My Princess.” And on the opposite side is a picture of…me. A photo that Eli took of me years ago.
“Why?” I ask, looking up at Scarlett as tears stream down my cheeks, and I don’t bother to stop them. “Why would he give me this?”
She smiles warmly. “I think you know the answer to that.”
I swallow hard, clutching his dog tag in my hand. “But I… But we can’t… I mean, I’m—”
She reaches for my hand, intertwining our fingers. “He asked me to give this to you before he left. Said it was important that you knew what he always kept over his heart when he was on the other side of the world.”
Me.
He kept a picture of me over his heart.
Tears tumble down my cheeks one by one like an overflowing river rushing down my skin.
“I have to see him,” I whisper, every part of me urging me to get up and move. To run to him. To kiss him. To tell him how I feel—how I’ve always felt. I reach for the shelf above me to pull myself up. “I need to tell him—” I freeze as my heart shatters, my engagement ring staring back at me, reminding me why I can’t go to the only man I’ve ever loved. “I can’t.” My voice breaks as I drop back to the floor. “I’m engaged.” I wrap my arms around myself, the necklace pressed against my chest.
