Chapter 20 - The Ring
Charles kept Lauren’s wedding ring in his office safe for eleven months.
He hated that.
One day Sarah asked why.
“Evidence?”
“No.”
“Sentiment?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
Charles stared at the small box.
“I don’t know.”
Sarah nodded.
“Excellent legal rationale.”
The ring belonged to Lauren.
She had placed it in his hand when he canceled the wedding, but ownership was not entirely clear because Charles had purchased it as a gift in contemplation of marriage.
State law could treat engagement and wedding jewelry differently depending on circumstances.
Charles laughed when Sarah explained.
“Even the ring needs counsel?”
“Everything needs counsel if rich people are angry enough.”
Ultimately Lauren signed a simple release acknowledging Charles could return it.
He mailed it insured.
A week later she emailed.
Received. Thank you.
Nothing else.
Charles expected emotion.
None came.
He realized the ring had become powerful only because he kept it close.
Once gone, it became metal again.
Around the same time, Ruth returned the internet-sponsored work boots.
“They pinch.”
“Mom, they were free.”
“Pain is not improved by price.”
He laughed.
She kept one gift from strangers.
A handmade sign sent by a farmer in Iowa.
WORK LEAVES A SCENT. CHARACTER LEAVES A MARK.
Ruth hung it in the barn.
Charles thought it was corny.
He secretly liked it.
Lauren completed a year of therapy.
Charles knew because she told Emma, and Emma eventually told him.
He no longer minded.
Lauren had also settled Hale Development’s lawsuit.
She surrendered disputed company equity in exchange for dismissal of claims against her.
She left her family business completely.
Diane filed for divorce from Richard.
Richard’s old world continued shrinking.
None of that restored Charles’s engagement.
It did restore something for Lauren.
The possibility of building a life not defined by her father.
Charles found that he could be glad for her.
That realization told him forgiveness was closer than he thought.
Not reconciliation.
Never confuse them.
But forgiveness.
May you like
Maybe.
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