Ignite to the Shattered Pieces (Tom Holland fanfic)

Chapter 32

(Dalena's POV)

Once Tom and I meet up at the small jewelry shop at the end of Kingston, we stand awkwardly around the jeweler's desk. Neither of us say a word to each other for a while. The old jeweler observes the ring on my finger with his spectacles.

"Hmm..." The jeweler takes his eyewear off and sighs.

"Will it hurt to-"

"I've got to split it open." He frowns and interrupts me. "And no, it won't hurt. But if you want me to try to take it off without damaging it, it'll be like literally trying to pull a finger out." He winces.

"So what would you like to do?" He grins.

I face Tom, eyeing him for an answer.

He frowns at the dilemma and shrugs.

I slowly twirl my forefinger against the lights above and watch the beautiful diamond sparkle. This was my ring...

I mean the ring itself was slightly damaged in the first place anyway.

What does it matter if it's split open?

Tom and I aren't together anymore...so what was the point of even keeping the ring stabled?

"Just take it off..." I mumble, almost as if Tom couldn't hear me.

The jeweler looks at Tom for consent, as Tom gives me a nod of assurance.

"Why'd you put the ring on if you two aren't even together anymore?" The jeweler chuckles at our situation, preparing his tools on the side.

"Just wanted to see what it would look like on me." I mumble again, facing down, feeling embarrassed.

"I'd say it's a hell of a ring you got there." The jeweler winks. "Too bad we gotta a break it out, you know?"

"Is splitting the ring in half the only option?" Tom's voice trembles.

The jeweler nods.

"Okay." Tom sighs, slowly walking away from the scene.

"Tom?" I call to him.

"Hmm?" He looks back at me.

Deep down, I truly did not want the ring to go.

It became a part of me, and I became attached.

But it was an object from the past that Tom should have let go a long time ago.

I'm trying to move on with someone else, and keeping this thing on me isn't helping.

Another thing that isn't helping, is sleeping with exes...

But I've got to accept that it happened.

Even though we literally just slept together last night,

It doesn't mean that we should be together.

We just slipped... that's all.

Happens to everyone, right?

"Do you want him to do this?" I ask Tom.

He lets out a faint laugh and clears his throat. "Needs to be done."

"You've kept it this entire time-"

"Yeah." He nods, looking away. "But it's nice to know that it looks great on you."

"Besides, you've got Lyle, and I've got to save up another ring for another girl." He awkwardly says, still avoiding eye contact.