I Survived War, but Not My First Love

The diamond wasn't huge, but it caught the light perfectly. It was bright enough to instantly shut every single one of them up.

The domestic arrivals terminal was packed and full of life, which made their frozen, awkward expressions stick out like a sore thumb in the middle of the crowd.

Clutching my bags, I walked right past airport security without a hint of emotion.

The moment I got close, Damian Calloway grabbed my wrist with a frown, narrowing his eyes at the ring on my finger.

It wasn't the one he gave me.

Then again, when he finally told me we were getting hitched, he did it casually over a phone call.

"Evelyn, are you really that desperate to get married?" Damian scoffed.

A sudden, mocking smirk spread across his face as a thought struck him. "Did you seriously buy yourself a ring?

"Alright, look, I get it. I know I'm all you think about. Where's the matching men's band? Let's see it."

The moment the words left his mouth, his buddies beside him instantly burst into laughter.

"Oh, she bought it herself? Figures. Damian's been missing for the last few years, so she probably needed a little security blanket to cope."

"Holy crap, she's wearing a wedding ring while waiting around for Damian? Talk about a stage-five clinger."

"Clinger? That's not a clinger. She's a total simp!"

I looked up, casting a freezing glare at Damian.

He merely shrugged, raising an eyebrow. "What? It's the truth. Don't get mad just because people are calling you out."

"Whatever. Let's drop it," he added. "You did have a rough time holding down the fort for me these past few years. Let's get moving. The wedding's set for tomorrow."

Tomorrow was my 28th birthday.

My footsteps faltered for a second.

I remembered back when Damian and I were still together, I had told him, "My mom married my dad when she was 28 years old, and my sister got married at that age, too. Both of them ended up incredibly happy. I guess I'm just superstitious like that."

Back then, Damian had scooped me up into his arms with a laugh. "Message received loud and clear, my dear. The day you turn 28, I'm absolutely going to marry you."

Not long after that conversation, I received word that Damian had gone missing overseas. I cried for two days straight.

On the third day, ignoring everyone who tried to stop me, I traveled halfway across the world to a war zone and became a war correspondent.

I searched for him for four long years. Countless bullets had grazed my face, and even bombs had detonated right at my feet. But every single time I woke up from a coma or a severe injury, only one thought ran through my mind.

Even if I were at death's door, I had to die by Damian's side.

But now, I looked at him.

Damian was a bit taller than he was four years ago, his complexion clear and healthy. It was obvious that he had been living the good life.

It turned out he hadn't lost his memory at all. He remembered everything. He just didn't care whether I lived or died, nor did he care about the sheer desperation that drove me to search for him.

He had waited until the last minute to let me know, acting as though he was doing me a massive favor by allowing me to return and marry him.

He had played me like a total fool.

I let out a cold, sharp laugh.

When Damian escorted me to his car, I kept my mouth shut, for I had a lot of belongings stored at his place that I needed to collect.

As I pulled the seatbelt across my chest, the diamond ring on my finger caught the sun, reflecting right into his eye.

Damian clicked his tongue in annoyance.

He reached into the glove compartment, pulled out a box, and tossed it to me.

"Your man's still alive and kicking, you know. Stop acting like a grieving widow," he said. "Put this one on instead. Camille picked it out yesterday. She said all girls are obsessed with pink diamonds."

I flipped the box open. The diamond inside was so tiny that it was practically invisible. Worse, it was visibly riddled with inclusions.

The price tag hadn't even been removed, staring right back at me in plain text.

"Retail Price: 199 dollars."

A laugh escaped my throat as I slammed the ring box shut with a sharp snap.

"So, Camille's still alive, huh?"