Chapter 130 The Ring That Vanished


    Leiss‘ POV


    I slipped off to a corner and couldn’t wait to share the juicy news with Kirby.


    “Kirby, I just saw Leslie buying your birthday present!”


    On the other end of the call, I heard his breath catch–sharp and heavy.


    Exactly the reaction I wanted.


    <b>33 </b>


    Finished


    “I’m serious. Slyvana was there too! She bought that luxury men’s watch you like. Just wait— your gift ising, hahaha…”


    I couldn’t help but spill everything.


    Kirby’s POV


    “Leslie got you a gift?!”


    Lance let out a full–throated cheer in my head. “Finally! That dumbass Leiss actually brought good news!”


    I held back the excitement in my chest, forced my voice t. “Noted. That’s enough.”


    Originally, I hadn’t nned on celebrating this year. But now, I had to make it big.


    How else was I going to get her to show up?


    Usually, I’d spend my birthday with a few of the guys–nothing special. I remembered, before the marriage contract was dissolved, Leslie seemed eager to celebrate with me. I always brushed her off, saying it’d be awkward, just the two of us. Still, she always prepared something


    for me.


    Thinking of that, I called Mch in right away.


    “What happened to all the birthday gifts I got over the years?”


    He froze for a second, like he hadn’t expected the question.


    “Sir, the more expensive ones are locked in the vault or in the disy cases.”


    I frowned. Why couldn’t I remember what Leslie gave me during those three years?


    “What about Leslie’s?<b>” </b>


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    Chapter 130 The Ring That Vanished


    :


    <b>33 </b>


    Finished


    There was another long pause before he spoke again, cautiously. “Alpha, which year are you referring to?”


    “All of them.”


    Mch cleared his throat. “First year, she gave you a ring. You… lost it.”


    His voice dropped lower as he continued.


    The second I heard that, something twisted inside me. Lance, who’d been riding high with excitement, went silent.


    I remembered now. We got married, and I didn’t even bother with rings. Didn’t see the point.


    But she’d prepared one.


    I wore it for maybe two days. Said it felt weird. Stuffed it in a coat pocket somewhere and forgot


    about it.


    It never turned up again.


    Mch went on. “Second year, she gave you a scarf. Hand–knitted. You… gave it to Liana. She threw it out.”


    I didn’t even get a word in before he rushed through it.


    “Third year, she gave you nothing.”


    The office went dead quiet.


    The silence pressed down on me like something was tearing into my chest.


    I stood there frozen, like my whole foundation wasing apart.


    I’d crushed her warmth and passion with my bare hands.


    Snuffed it out sopletely that by year three, she didn’t even bother anymore.


    The ring. The scarf. Things I had, and lost. Back then, I didn’t feel a thing.


    So why did it hurt so much now?


    Why did it feel like I couldn’t breathe?


    I didn’t want to think about it. I didn’t want to know the answer.


    I shoved past Mch and stormed into my dressing room. Started ripping jackets off hangers,


    15:43 Wed, <b>Sep </b>17


    Chapter 130 The Ring That Vanished


    one after another. Checking every pocket, every seam. Piling them into a mountain.


    Nothing.


    <b>33 </b>


    Finished


    “Give it up,” Lance muttered darkly. “That was years ago. No way those coats are still here. And even if they were, the staff would’ve cleaned it all up.”


    I refused to believe it. Kept digging.


    That ring… Leslie’s ring. She must’ve poured all her courage and hope into that gift. Offered it despite all the crap I put her through.


    And I just… threw it away.


    After a long while, I finally stopped. Walked out, picked up my phone, and pulled up Leslie’s


    contact.


    My heart pounded in my chest like it was trying to break free.


    This was insane. I had no idea what I was doing. Still, my voice came out calm. Steady.


    “Leslie, tomorrow’s my birthday. You have toe.”


    It was the first time in my life I’d ever invited someone to a birthday party. My chest tightened instantly.


    Her silencested a few seconds. Longest seconds of my life.


    Then sheughed.


    “Kirby,” she said coolly, “have you forgotten? We’re not friends.”


    Then she hung up.


    Send Gifts


    138


    <b>15:43 </b>Wed, Sep 17 D