After everyone finished singing Happy Birthday, he stepped forward carrying a large cream-colored box.

The room immediately fell silent.

Not because people were being polite.

Because nobody had ever seen Robert give me a present.

A gold designer logo gleamed across the lid.

Lila gasped.

“Elaine…”

Robert cleared his throat.

“Open it.”

Carefully, I lifted the lid and folded back the tissue paper.

Part 2:

Inside rested an elegant black leather handbag trimmed with polished gold hardware.

For one brief moment, every practical lecture Robert had ever given me disappeared from my mind.

It was stunning.

But the second I wrapped my fingers around the handle, something felt off.

The leather wasn’t stiff like a brand-new purse.

 

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