Norma leaned on the doorpost, twisting the smooth golden ring on her hand. Her fingers brushed against the diamond set in the ring's center, and she glanced down at it with a sigh. He had insisted on buying the most exquisite and expensive ring for her, and she smiled faintly at the memory.

Lifting her head, she could see her husband busy at his work, his hands flying everywhere as he rushed to answer phones, sign papers, and attend to the rest of his hectic schedule. He hadn't even noticed when she knocked at his office door, or looked up when she entered. But she had expected that. That was one of the reasons she was here now.

Taking a deep breath, Norma found that her heart was racing. Doubts were beginning to creep in. Am I overreacting? Maybe this isn't a good idea. I mean, he's just trying to keep up with his business…I should be happy for him…

But deep down, she knew that what her husband was doing was wrong. It seemed as if the instant after they had been married, Once-ler had been swept away from her. He was constantly working, and he frequently came to bed with dark circles under his eyes.

But it wasn't just that. Once-ler was becoming…different. Norma felt like she didn't even know him anymore. He was power-hungry, and consumed by greed. She could tell by the unsettling light that came into his eyes when he surveyed his model of Thneedville, or gazed at the ticker that marked the ever-increasing number of Thneeds sold.

Slowly, Norma took a step towards his desk, clutching the ring she had slid off her finger and into her palm. Look up at me, Once-ler. Please. Notice me. Taking another hesitant step, she gazed intently at her husband, whose eyes were fixed on the stack of papers before him.

As Norma stared at him, she tried to remember the days when she first was getting to know him. She could recall the sweet scent of the colorful Truffula trees, the gentle touch of Once-ler's arm around her shoulders, and the happy notes of the humming fish. But those moments seemed to be from a lifetime ago, and tears pricked at her eyes at the realization that those wonderful times would never return.

Slowly, with her hand shaking, she placed the ring on Once-ler's desk. He didn't even look up.

"Did you want something, Norma?" he mumbled, lifting a pen to scrawl his signature on one of the papers.

I want you back, she thought miserably. But the words that came out were soft and low. "No. I was just leaving…"

Once-ler didn't realize the true meaning of her words until after she had turned suddenly and fled, out of the office, down the hall, and out of the factory. Tears streamed down her cheeks, smudging her glasses, and they streamed faster still as she ran across the desolate hills littered with tree stumps.

Back in his office, Once-ler stared with disbelief at the ring she had left. Picking it up with one quivering gloved hand, he whispered, "Norma…"

He bolted from his desk, heart pounding as he became overwhelmed with terror. He was going to lose her, she was going to leave him, he had neglected her, and this was all his fault…

Once-ler finally collapsed outside the factory, panting for breath. He clenched the ring tightly, as if he could still keep her by holding on to it. But it was too late. She was gone, and there was nothing more he could do. He had lost the most precious treasure in his life. He didn't deserve her, he never had. Once-ler's cries echoed throughout the dull smoggy sky, and his heart ached as he realized she was never coming back.