Jake wandered into the kitchen and flipped a light switch. Nothing.
“Huh. Odd,” I said, sipping my coffee.
Then his phone buzzed. “What? The landlord says we’re moving out in two weeks? Why?”
“Oh, that,” I said, setting down my cup. “Since I’m covering the bills, I decided to move somewhere smaller. I signed the lease yesterday. It’s just for me. You’re not on it, so… you’ll need to find your own place.”
Jake stared at me, completely thrown. “Are you insane?”
I smiled. “No. Just done. And the savings account? I emptied it. Think of it as repayment for the unpaid cooking, cleaning, and laundry.”
“That was OUR money!”
“It was. Not anymore.” I grabbed my keys. “Good luck with your little ‘future.’ I’m not part of it.”
As I walked to the door, his phone buzzed again. He looked at the screen—Anna. His face drained of color.
I left him standing there in the dark, his fantasy collapsing around him.
Two weeks later, I was sipping wine on the balcony of my cozy new apartment. The peace felt unbelievable.
Word eventually got around: Jake was couch-surfing, trying to scrape together money for a deposit. And Anna? She dumped him the moment she discovered the savings were gone.
My phone lit up with a text:
“Jake’s been telling everyone you ruined his life.”
I laughed and set the phone aside.
For the first time in a long, long time, I felt completely free.
I raised my glass. “Here’s to my future, Jake. You’re not invited.”
Note: This story is a work of fiction inspired by real events. Names, characters, and details have been altered. Any resemblance is coincidental. The author and publisher disclaim accuracy, liability, and responsibility for interpretations or reliance. All images are for illustration purposes only.
