I was just doing the damn laundry.
That’s all it was. Just another mindless chore, part of my routine. But when I picked up Dale’s old brown jacket, something inside it made a soft thud.
I stopped. Frowned.
The jacket smelled like him—like worn leather, faded cologne, and those cigarettes he swore he only smoked when he was stressed. It was old, the elbows thinned from years of wear, and Dale never let me wash it. “It’s got character,” he always said with a lopsided grin.
I lifted it, about to toss it into the laundry pile, when my fingers brushed against something solid inside the pocket.
Curiosity prickled at the back of my neck. I wasn’t a snoop, not really. But something about the weight of it—the way it felt heavy in my hand—sent a knot straight to my gut.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I reached in.
A small, perfectly wrapped box.
I turned it over in my hands. The paper was smooth, tied neatly with a ribbon. The kind of effort Dale never put into gifts.
My birthday was last week, and Dale had already given me a necklace—simple, sweet, nothing extravagant. Our anniversary? Still months away. No holiday. No reason for him to be hiding a gift.
My heartbeat picked up. Maybe I should wait. Maybe there was an explanation.
But my hands had a mind of their own. The ribbon slid off easily. The paper peeled back with a soft whisper.
A sleek perfume bottle gleamed under the kitchen light.
I stared at it. It was elegant, expensive, the kind of thing that belonged on a vanity in a high-end boutique.
I lifted the bottle and spritzed a tiny bit on my wrist. The scent was floral, delicate, sophisticated.
Not my scent. Not even close.
A chill ran down my spine as I set the bottle on the counter, right in the center where Dale wouldn’t miss it.
All day, I watched that bottle like it held a ticking bomb. My mind spun through possibilities, each one making my stomach twist tighter. Maybe he had bought it for me and just forgotten. Maybe he planned to give it to me later.
But Dale wasn’t the type to plan surprises. He barely remembered to wrap the gifts he did get me.
When the front door creaked open, my heart pounded in my ears.
Dale stepped inside, stretching like a man who’d had a long day and was ready to relax. He kicked off his boots, ran a hand through his hair, and gave me a lazy smile.
“Hey, babe.”
I didn’t answer. I picked up the perfume bottle and held it up.
“This was in your jacket.”
He barely glanced at it. “Huh?”
I took a step closer. “The perfume. Want to explain?”
That’s when I saw it—a flicker of something across his face. A second of hesitation. His shoulders tensed, his eyes darted to mine, and then, just as quickly, he smoothed it over.
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Oh, that? It’s for you.”
“For me?”
“Yeah.” He swallowed. “I, uh, meant to give it to you for your birthday. Thought I’d surprise you later.”
Liar.
But I kept my face neutral. If I pushed, he’d turn this on me—ask why I was going through his things, why I didn’t trust him.
So I nodded, setting the bottle back down. “Fine.”
At least, I pretended to let it go.
Then Claire walked through the front door like she owned the place.
My sister had no concept of knocking. She dropped her purse on the counter and flopped onto the couch like she had no bones. “Got any coffee?”
I sighed, grabbing two mugs from the cabinet.
“Hey,” Claire said suddenly, her voice bright with excitement. “Oh my God! Is that Chéri Élégance?”
I turned, my stomach twisting.
She was holding the perfume bottle.
Claire’s eyes sparkled as she turned it in her hands. “I love this scent! I’ve been dreaming about it forever.”
Something sharp dug into my chest.
“Where’d you get it?” she asked, still grinning.
I hesitated for just a second. “Dale gave it to me.”
Claire gasped. “No way! That’s wild—he was asking me about perfumes the other day. Like, really asking. I thought he was just making conversation, but—”
My blood turned to ice.
Dale had been asking her about perfumes.
And she loved this one.
Claire’s birthday was in two weeks.
I took a slow sip of coffee, forcing a smile as my mind clicked into place.
“You know what?” I said smoothly. “You should have it.”
Claire blinked. “Wait, what?”
I nodded. “The perfume. It’s not really my style. But if you love it…”
She hesitated. “Are you sure? Dale got it for you.”
Oh, I was sure.
I gave her a slow smile. “In fact, why don’t you stay for dinner?”
She caught on instantly. Her eyes flicked to mine, scanning my face. Then, a knowing smirk curled at her lips.
“Oh,” she said, her voice dripping with amusement. “This is gonna be good.”
Dinner was normal. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, small talk.
And then Claire casually lifted the perfume bottle, held it up, and smiled. “I love this scent,” she said. “Best gift I’ve ever gotten.”
Dale’s fork scraped against his plate.
I watched as his shoulders tensed, as his fingers clenched around his glass.
Claire leaned back, sighing. “You know, if a man ever got me something this perfect, I think I’d fall in love on the spot.”
Dale went pale.
I took a sip of wine. “Don’t you think Dale has great taste, Claire? He picked it out himself.”
Claire grinned. “Mmm. Wish I had a man who knew exactly what I liked.”
Dale swallowed hard.
Then, I pulled out my phone, tapped the screen, and hit play.
His voice filled the room.
“Claire, I bought that for you. I wanted to surprise you. Because… because I love you.”
Silence.
Dale’s face drained completely. “Maggie—”
I stood, my voice calm. “Pack your things. Now.”
His mouth opened, closed. “Mags, come on, you don’t mean—”
“I do.” I shoved the perfume bottle into his hands. “And don’t forget this.”
Claire exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “Damn, Dale.”
He turned to her, searching for something—sympathy, maybe.
“Claire, I—”
“Don’t.” She grabbed her purse. “I need some air.”
She walked out without looking back.
Dale turned to me, and for a second, I saw something like regret.
But it was too late.
I folded my arms. “You’re still here?”
His jaw clenched, but he knew.
He was out of chances.
