About a year ago, during our office Secret Santa, Sarah, my friendly coworker, gave me a silver ring with a delicate emerald. It felt personal, and I wore it often without question.
One evening, I discovered the emerald could twist open, revealing a hidden note inside. My heart sank when I read the two blunt words: “Hate you.”
I was stunned. Sarah had always seemed kind—laughing with me, complimenting my work, even bringing my favorite cookies. Why would she hide such a message in a gift?
I replayed every moment, searching for clues but found none. Was it a cruel joke? A mistake? Or did Sarah secretly harbor resentment?
Now, I’m torn—should I confront her or pretend I never found the note? The beautiful ring feels like a puzzle, a reminder that sometimes, people we trust may hide secrets we’ll never understand.
