VY

worried about the disruption to his perfectly ordered life, the one where I was always stable, always supportiv

ing to worry." His voice was a practi

I knew it intimately. I had lived with it for years, worrying ab

ce flat, devoid of the soft reassurance h

y surprised. "For what? You fin

only cause a scene, a drama I couldn't afford right now. "Just

uh, about the money." He cleared his throat. "The twenty-

had paid the deposit, my hard-earned savings, because Dyllan had claimed his police salary barely covered his

mpted, my vo

ng, saying she had no money for food. So, I... I kind of used a little bit of that deposit money to help her out." He rushed the words, as if spe

factured crises. This wasn' t just a one-time thing. It was a pattern, a deep rut carved by years of enabling. In my past life, he had done the same

sked, my voice

"But Ivy, she really needed it

not anymore. It just felt cold, like a stone. It was m

. "I' m busy. And I want that money back

police officer makes? And for Heather, you know I can' t just... It' s not like you need it right now a

ess sound. "Frugal? Or self-sacrificing, Dyllan? There's a difference. And d

e!" he pleaded, his voice rising. "I'm trying to take

voice devoid of emotio

en his footsteps retreated. The front do

and gifts Dyllan had given me over the years. Each item sold was a tiny step towards my freedom. The engagement ring he had given me, a modest diamond he had picked out with Co

door. He looked tired, his handsome face l

"Two thousand. I had to borrow it

ing to count the cash. "Content

rly empty closet, the packed bags discr

ng room. "Dyllan, honey, Heather's on the phone!

rds the sound. His priorit

s, quickly overshadowed by his usual distraction. "Are you packing for the honeymo

mile. "No honeymoon, Dyllan

What... what are

er this time, called,

n me and the living room. The struggle

ing away. "We'll talk later. You're j

ht for his attention. He couldn't grasp the cold, hard reality of my de

feeling in my chest. "I'm fine. You go make sure Heather

face. "Yes! Exactly! You get it, Ivy. You always do."

ly solidified my resolve. He stil

d over her arm. "Dyllan, they said the seamstress can't fix it in time unless we pay extra! And it'

his arm around her, murmuring reassura

The players were in position. I closed my bedroom door, but I didn