Relinquishing the Ring

The next day was a weekend.

While the family had hired people to clean the house from top to bottom, Valerie headed out to the bookstore to read.

She was completely engrossed in her book when, out of nowhere, someone bumped her elbow.

"Sorry," came a cool female voice, but there wasn't a hint of apology in her tone.

Vanessa had come to the bookstore to pick up a few books. When she spotted Valerie