Last year, my Secret Santa at work gave me a gorgeous silver ring with a tiny emerald. It was such a thoughtful gift, and since we got along well, I wore it regularly without a second thought. A year later, I noticed a small groove around the stone and, out of curiosity, managed to twist it open.

Inside was a hidden compartment with a note with two words: “Hate you.” I was completely floored. I’d spent the entire year believing Sarah and I were on great terms. Now, I couldn’t stop wondering—was this some kind of bizarre joke? A mistake? Or had she planned this all along?