He sees the ring on your finger before you can hide it.

You meant to tell him.

You really did.

But when his eyes land on it — small, gold, arranged by your parents — the silence between you fills with something heavy.

“You’re engaged?” Jacob says quietly.

You open your mouth, but nothing comes out.

He shakes his head, almost laughing. “God. I would’ve waited for you. You know that, right? I would’ve waited forever.”

You whisper, “I didn’t know what to do.”

He steps back. “You did what they told you.”

And then he’s gone before you can say you’re sorry.