The Secret Hidden

During last year’s office Secret Santa, Sarah, my friendly coworker, gave me a silver ring with an emerald. It felt personal, thoughtful. We’d always gotten along—laughing over coffee, bonding over work, disliking early meetings. I wore the ring often; it felt like it belonged. Recently, while fidgeting with it, I noticed a groove around the emerald. Curious, I twisted it, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside was a tiny note with two words: “Hate you.” I froze.

Was this a cruel joke? A mistake? Sarah had always seemed kind—complimenting my work, sharing my favorite cookies. Nothing hinted at malice. Should I confront her or ignore it? The ring, still beautiful, now feels tainted. Was it a secret grudge or a secondhand gift with an unintended message? I’m left uneasy, questioning someone I thought I knew, wondering about the truth behind those sharp words.