I didn’t think he’d still have it.” She sighed, her expression softening. “He never took it off for years.

When we started dating, he told me about a girl who once made him believe in kindness, even when life was hard. He said you were the first person who really saw him.” Tears welled in my eyes. I had never known how much that small act had meant. “I didn’t want to interfere with his life,” I said quietly. “I’m just glad he’s happy.”

She reached across the table, her smile warm. “He is. And now I’m glad to finally meet the person who gave him hope when he needed it most.” We sat there, two women connected by the same boy, realizing that sometimes love isn’t about keeping someone — it’s about leaving them better than you found them.