"A New Ring and a New Reality"

The warm sunlight streaming through the living room windows highlighted the sparkle on Blake's finger as she walked towards me, a beaming smile on her face. I was sitting on the couch, absorbed in a book, and I looked up to see what had caught my attention. Blake's hand was extended, her palm facing upwards, and on her ring finger was a beautiful gold band adorned with a small diamond. "Blake, that's gorgeous!" I exclaimed, trying to sound sincere, but my mind was racing with confusion. When did she get a new ring? And why was she wearing it on her left hand, which was already occupied by her wedding ring? Blake sat down beside me, her eyes shining with excitement. "I'm so glad you like it," she said, wiggling her finger back and forth to make the diamond sparkle. "Kenji gave it to me yesterday." I felt a pang of discomfort as I processed this information. "That's... lovely," I said, trying to keep my tone neutral. But inside, I was reeling. Blake was still married to me, or at least, I thought she was. We hadn't gotten a divorce, had we? Blake seemed to sense my confusion, and she reached out to take my hand. "I know this is a lot to take in," she said, her voice soft and gentle. "But I want you to know that this ring represents a commitment between Kenji and me. We're making a promise to each other, to love and cherish each other, no matter what." I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. A commitment? What did that mean? Were they getting married? And what about me? Was I just supposed to... stand by and watch? Blake seemed to sense my distress, and she squeezed my hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, we're not getting a divorce," she said, as if reading my mind. "At least, not yet. But I do want to explore this relationship with Kenji, and I want to make it official." I was stunned. Official? What did that even mean? And what about our marriage? Was it just... on hold? Blake seemed to be practicing a new script, and she began to say her new last name out loud, trying it out like a rehearsal. "I'm Blake Nakamura," she said, smiling at me. "Doesn't that sound nice?" I felt like I was living in a dream, a dream that was rapidly spiraling out of control. I didn't know what to say, or how to react. All I could do was sit there, frozen in shock, as Blake continued to practice her new name, her new identity.