head. “Impressive.

So you’re free to pursue opportunities outside of your… current arrangement?”

Kyle laughed. “Oh, absolutely. She’s sweet, but we’re not exactly on the same level, you know?

I need someone who matches my ambitions.”

Jake nudged me under the table as I recorded the exchange on my phone. The same evening, we walked into a pawn shop my mother mentioned. The man behind the counter looked up, his face bored.

“Looking for something?” he asked, setting down a coffee cup. “Yes,” I said, trying to sound confident. “A ring.

Antique diamond, oval cut, gold band. It was brought in a few days ago.”

He scratched his beard, squinting at me. “Yeah, I remember.

Nice piece. You here to buy it back?”

“Yes,” I said quickly. “How much?”

He leaned against the counter, sizing us up.

“$2,500.”

I felt my stomach drop. “What? That’s way more than you paid for it!”

The man shrugged.

“It’s called a business. You want it, or not?”

Jake stepped forward, his jaw tight. “You’re gouging us.”

“Look, kid,” the man said, crossing his arms, “it’s a rare ring.

I don’t have to sell it back at all.”

I felt tears sting my eyes, but Jake squeezed my hand. “We’ll take it,” he said firmly. We pooled our savings, handing over the cash.

The man placed the ring in my hand, and a wave of relief washed over me. “It’s home,” I whispered, gripping it tightly. The next morning, Mom sat at the kitchen table, staring at her coffee cup.

As we prepared to confront her with the video from the restaurant, Kyle strolled in, looking smug. “Hey, babe,” he began, “we need to talk.”

Mom looked up, confused. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ve met someone,” Kyle said, his tone oozing confidence.

“She’s more sophisticated, more in line with where I’m going in life. It’s better for both of us if we end things now.”

Mom froze. “You’re leaving?

After everything I’ve done for you?”

“It’s nothing personal,” Kyle said with a shrug, then grabbed his bag and left. That evening, Jake and I sat with Mom in the living room. She looked exhausted, her hands wrapped around a mug of tea she hadn’t touched.

I took a deep breath, sitting beside her. “Mom, we need to talk,” I said softly, my voice trembling just enough to catch her attention. Her face crumpled, and she set her mug down.

“I felt used today,” she whispered. “When he walked out that door, I knew I’d been blind. I just didn’t want to admit it.” She looked at me, tears welling in her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I never should’ve touched that ring. I was so desperate to believe I could fix things for us.”

“Well, Mom,” I said, grinning, “I know for a fact his affair with Vanessa won’t last.” I showed her the video and explained that Vanessa was in fact Rachel, our friend.

She pulled me into a hug, her tears soaking into my shoulder. “Thank you for not giving up on me,” she whispered. Kyle didn’t stay quiet for long.

A few days later, when he realized Vanessa wouldn’t talk to him anymore, he showed up at the door, his charm replaced by desperation. “Hey, can we talk?” he asked, his grin faltering when Mom stood firm in the doorway. Her expression didn’t waver.

“I know exactly who you are now. Leave, or I’m calling the police.” She closed the door with a finality that left no room for doubt. As we sat together that evening, Mom reached for my hand.

“Your grandmother would be proud of you,” she said. “Of us.”

I smiled, clutching the ring tightly. It wasn’t just a piece of jewelry.

It was a promise, a reminder that family always comes first.