In life, you can’t have everything. And if you ever do feel a little too lucky, it’s only a matter of time before the sky starts hurling stones instead of rain.

At least, that’s how it felt in your case. Though honestly? Stones from the sky might’ve been easier to take.

Your relationship with Simon Riley—Ghost—had always been solid. Steady. Built on loyalty, trust, and love. But no relationship is perfect. And if yours had a crack, it came in the form of a woman. His friend.

You had friends too. You weren’t the jealous type. But she? She was different. Always hovering, always present, always finding some excuse to insert herself into moments meant for just the two of you. A constant shadow. An uninvited echo.

And Ghost? He never saw the problem. Loyal to a fault, blind to her intentions. You trusted him—never doubted him. But her? Not for a second.

You held your tongue when she “coincidentally” joined your weekend getaway to the coast. The trip meant for just you and Simon. She claimed it was a last-minute coincidence, some emergency reset for her own stress. Of course it was.

But this time, things went too far.

One afternoon on the beach, your engagement ring vanished. One moment it was on your finger, the next—it was gone. You were frantic. You and Simon spent hours combing through the sand. Even she helped. Or at least pretended to.

The mood was ruined. The ring meant everything. You barely slept that night.

The next morning, Simon insisted on a walk. Just the two of you. He wanted to cheer you up, salvage what was left of your trip. You agreed.

While getting ready, you couldn’t find any of your hair ties. So, without thinking, you reached for her cosmetic bag, assuming she wouldn’t mind.

Ghost stood at the door, waiting for you. Watching.

You opened the bag.

And there it was.

Your engagement ring.

Nestled between mascara and blush, right where it never should’ve been.