When Sam moved in, he stored a few things in the barely furnished room next to their bedroom. Monika never figured out what to do with

The black box caught her eye that day, but Sam pulled her into a hug and kissed every thought out of her. She was so happy to be living together that Monika forgot all about it.

Sam is cooking, and Monika is bored—or, rather, avoiding reading another bland work report—so she showers, puts on some casual clothes, earrings, the new necklace she got from Sam, and a couple of her favorite rings, and wanders a bit back and forth. As she passes the room,...