"Hello." Daphne did not offer a greeting beyond that one simple word.

"Daphne, is something wrong?" Donny wasn't used to her tone of voice.

"There isn't an easy way to say this. I think I made a mistake."

"Is this about the wedding invitations?" The irritation in Donny's voice was unmistakable.

"No. Donny, I'm really sorry to tell you this. I know it's not something that should be said over the phone. But it's really better if we do this quickly. I'm afraid I need to return the ring."

At first, Donny thought she had been displeased with the diamond he'd picked out. But it didn't take long before her true meaning sunk in. "Daphne, what happened? What made you change your mind all of a sudden?"

"I've been thinking a lot about Dr. Crane. Or, rather, his brother, Niles. Donny, I think I love him."

"What?!"

"I know, I don't blame you for being angry. But I hope you can forgive me eventually. I really didn't want to hurt you. But if I stayed with you, it wouldn't have been fair to either of us."

Donny thought about his many clients. How many of them had heard this same speech? Despite what he usually said in the courtroom, most of the people involved in his cases weren't monsters. They were just human. He'd known Daphne long enough to know that she didn't enjoy hurting other people. When he thought about it like that, it became much harder to maintain his anger. He let out a long breath. "Well, I wish I could make you change your mind again, Daphne. But there really isn't anything I can say, is there?"

"No. I'm very sorry, Donny."

He sighed. "I know. I just hope he makes you happy. If it's not too much trouble, could you at least return the ring? I paid a lot of money for it!"

Daphne laughed. "Of course, Donny. I'll have it delivered first thing in the morning." She hung up a moment later, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. "Niles?"

He emerged from the kitchen in seconds, planning to go to her and comfort her as best he could. But she stopped him cold with her next words.

"Where would you like to have dinner?"

Niles grinned, knowing he'd never felt happier. "Daphne, I will go anywhere you want. I'll be happy just as long as you're beside me."

Daphne thought back to the symptoms she'd been experiencing the past few days. They hadn't been caused by pregnancy, so the only explanation was stress. But right now, she felt better than she had in a long time.

It only made sense that she would feel this way now. After all, she'd just found the place where she belonged.

The End