.
People gasped.
Some turned away.
Others just stared.

I stepped back to the mic. “I’m ending the engagement.”

Her voice broke. She begged.
I stayed calm.
“You can keep the ring,” I said. “Looks like you’ll need it.”
No one laughed.
No one moved.
I placed the mic down.
And walked away.

Outside, the air felt different.
Lighter.
My phone kept buzzing.
I didn’t check it.

Later that night, I packed her things.
Just what mattered.
Nothing more.
Then I sat on the edge of the bed.
And for the first time in a long time, everything felt clear