Moving into our first apartment felt like the start of forever. My parents had helped us with the down payment, and as I gave our housewarming guests a tour, I couldn’t stop smiling.
Then, my mother-in-law dropped her “suggestion.”
“Katie should have this place,” Barbara announced. “You two can stay with me.”
I waited for Alex to object. Instead, he agreed.
Just like that, my dream turned into a nightmare.
Thankfully, my parents stepped in, revealing the apartment was legally mine. But the damage was done.
When Alex later begged for forgiveness, I had to make a choice.
“Love isn’t enough,” I told him. “Not when you’re willing to give away my security without a second thought.”
I walked away—not because I stopped loving him, but because I finally loved myself enough to demand better.
