A year ago, during our office Secret Santa exchange, my coworker Sarah gifted me a stunning silver ring with a tiny emerald. We had always been friendly, so I wore it regularly without giving it much thought.
Then, after an entire year, I noticed a faint groove encircling the gemstone. Curiosity got the better of me, and after some effort, I managed to twist it open.
Inside the hidden compartment was a small note with just two chilling words: “Hate you.”
I sat there in disbelief. I had always assumed Sarah and I were on good terms. Had this been a cruel joke? A mistake? Or had she secretly harbored resentment all along? The realization left me questioning everything.