A little after seven, Daniel called to say he had arrived at Whitney’s house and found the engagement party had ended in confusion.

He had given her back the ring, not because I had demanded anything, but because her reaction to my injury had shown him a side of her he could not ignore.

He sounded heartbroken rather than triumphant.

I told him I was sorry.

He said he was sorry for all the questions he should have asked sooner.

Then he mentioned the envelope again.

He had kept photographs of it before giving the original to me.