"So that's why you tossed it…"

He’d brushed it off like it was nothing.

I looked up, forcing my eyes open wider, but the tears just cascaded down my face.

That year, Benjamin had been in a brutal car crash.

He was in the ICU for three days and nights, not stirring.

On the fourth day, the doctor said if he didn’t wake up today, his chances were looking grim.

I sat by his hospital bed, sobbing my heart out.

I took the bracelet my grandmother had given me and slid it onto his wrist.

As I did, I made a wish.

I begged God to let Benjamin live. I was willing.

To trade my most precious thing for it.

On the third night, just as everyone else had given up hope, Benjamin miraculously woke up.

No lasting damage; the accident was like a bad dream.

Terrifying in the moment, but upon waking, it was just a dream, nothing more.

From then on, the bracelet stayed on his wrist.

I never knew what God would take from me in return.

What my most precious thing truly was.

Until today, I finally got it. It was love. My grandmother’s love, Benjamin’s love—I’d lost it all.

I’d become that salted cod again.

Tossed in the freezer, frozen until even my lips were chattering.

A dizzying wave of disappointment and despair broke the dam of my tears.

My mind flashed back to the day my grandmother died, the frail old woman trembling as she held my hand.

She’d slipped the bracelet from her own thin wrist and onto mine.

As she did, she smiled.

“Our family was once quite well-off. This has been passed down through generations; it has spirit. It will protect my girl, keep her safe and well all her life.”

After fastening it on me, she closed her eyes peacefully.

Shedding one last, cloudy tear.

I hurled the messy stack of papers from my desk at Sophia.

Instantly, white sheets scattered everywhere.

Sophia flinched back, stumbling two steps and hiding behind Benjamin.

Still defiant, she said, “Benjamin already said it wasn’t important. Why are you having a meltdown?”

I lunged forward, grabbing her collar, my voice ragged and desperate. “Where did you throw it?”

Benjamin stepped between us. “Nora, calm down! Sophia’s pregnant!”

I swung my arm and slapped him hard across the face.

“That was the last thing my grandmother left me! How dare you say it wasn’t important! How dare you!

“We’re not even divorced yet, and you’re already tangled up with her. Did you ever think about me?

“Did you ever think I’d get hurt? That I’d be heartbroken? What do you even take me for?”

He wrapped his arms around me roughly, holding me tight, his hand rubbing my back.

“Nora, I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’ll take you to look for the bracelet! We’ll find it, I promise. Don’t cry, Nora. It’s all my fault! Please don’t cry!”

Then Sophia, who had been cowering in the corner, piped up softly.

“That bracelet… you probably can’t find it anymore…”

Benjamin roared at her.

“What did you say?! Explain yourself!”

“I cut it up… and flushed it down the toilet… You said… it wasn’t important…”

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a hospital bed.

That day, my emotions had overwhelmed me, and combined with the pregnancy, I’d fainted.

Benjamin was sitting by my bed, clutching my hand tightly, his voice full of concern.

“Nora, you’re awake?”

I coldly pulled my hand away. There is no sorrow greater than a dead heart.

Benjamin meant less to me now than a total stranger.

“Nora, you’re pregnant! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?

“Nora, I was wrong before. Please give me another chance?”

All his former pride was gone. He was bowing and scraping, like a pathetic puppy.