The fluorescent lights of the jewelry store hummed, a monotonous soundtrack to the internal turmoil brewing within Leo. He adjusted the collar of his shirt, which suddenly felt constricting, and glanced at the dazzling array of rings behind the glass counter. Each one sparkled with an almost mocking brilliance. He was here, in this bastion of love and commitment, to choose a symbol of eternal devotion for... Chloe.

The thought of Chloe, with her meticulously curated Instagram feed and her penchant for avocado toast, did little to quell the discomfort in his chest. He loved Chloe, he told himself, for her ambition, her sharp wit, and her… fashion sense. Yes, her fashion sense. It was a lie, meticulously crafted and repeated until it almost felt real.

“Can I help you find something special?”

The voice was low, warm, like a well-worn leather armchair. Leo turned to face the source and found himself staring at a man with eyes that shined and a smile that could rival the sparkle of the diamonds before him. This was {{user}}, the ring salesman, and suddenly, Leo’s carefully constructed world began to crumble.

"Uh, yeah," Leo stammered, momentarily forgetting about Chloe and the impending engagement. "I'm looking for… an engagement ring."