A year ago, my Secret Santa coworker Sarah surprised me with a gorgeous silver ring adorned with a little emerald. We’d always been nice, so I wore it all the time, not giving it any thought. Then, after a year, I discovered a groove around the jewel. I eventually managed to twist it open.

There was a note in the concealed compartment. Only two words: “Hate you.” I sat there shocked. All year, I assumed Sarah and I were getting along OK. Now I couldn’t stop wondering: Was it a joke? Is there some mistake? Or has she been hiding this all along?