Engraved with the Wrong Name
During the three years I was with Griffin Thorne, he constantly mistook me for his ex-girlfriend, Jade.
When he’d pour me a whiskey, he would murmur, "Jade, come try my latest private stash."
When he gave me an antique necklace for my birthday, the note inside the box read, "To my dearest Jade, Happy Birthday."
During our most intimate moments, he’d whisper in my ear, "Jade, should I be gentler?"
After he’d gotten my name wrong for the thousandth time, my initial anger had long since simmered into weary resignation.
I could only turn his face to mine, meet his gaze, and remind him, again and again.
"My name is Kimberly, not Jade."
Over time, Griffin started pausing for two seconds before saying my name.
Then he would carefully, deliberately pronounce each syllable: "Kim-ber-ly."
I thought he had finally corrected himself.
Until his old flame, Jade Vance, returned to Chicago, seeking the Family's protection.
From then on, the Family's prized red wine was once again mistakenly sent to Jade.
The diamond necklace delivered to the Family headquarters on Valentine's Day was also addressed to Jade.
Even when he proposed to me at a Family dinner, kneeling before me, he asked:
"Jade Vance, will you marry me?"
The words "I do" caught in my throat.
All my excitement vanished in an instant.
Suddenly, it all felt so meaningless.