Chapter 1

On the first day of our relationship, I received a Venmo request from my new boyfriend.

"Just dropped you off. 2.6 miles. Gas was $2.80, so your half is $1.40."

I stared at the screen for half a second, almost bursting into laughter.

I thought he was joking. But before I could reply, his next message popped up.

"Moving forward, we split all expenses fifty-fifty."

"It's not that I'm cheap. I genuinely respect you as an independent woman."

"It's all about gender equality these days. I can't treat you like you need special privileges, right?"

I stared at the words, my mind completely blank.

Then, I sent him two dollars through PayPal.

He accepted it instantly, followed by a refund notification.

"You sent sixty cents too much. Sent it back. We agreed on fifty-fifty—I don't take advantage of people."

Looking at that sixty-cent refund, I couldn't help but chuckle.

Thank God we were only dating, not married.

I accepted the refund, tapped out a text, and dumped him on the spot.

Right after I sent the breakup text, my phone rang.

"What is this supposed to mean? Why are you breaking up with me out of nowhere?"

His voice carried obvious confusion, mixed with a hint of annoyance.

"Look, Chloe, you owe me an explanation."

"We're just not compatible," I said calmly, leaning back against my sofa.

"Just because I asked you to split the gas?"

He sounded as if he'd just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world, his pitch shooting up.

"You're breaking up with me over two dollars? Don't you think you're being way too dramatic?"

"It's not about two dollars."

"It's about your mindset."

"What's wrong with my mindset?" he snapped. "I have principles! I respect you! How many girls out there scream about wanting independence and equality? I actually practice it, and you're mad? What do you actually want from me?"

I took a deep breath, realizing that arguing with him was a complete waste of time.

"Austin, save the lecture. We're just not a match."

"You—"

He paused, his voice suddenly softening.

"Chloe, I'm doing this for your own good."

"I don't want people calling you a gold digger. I'm protecting your reputation, don't you get it?"

I nearly laughed out loud at his twisted logic.

"Thanks for your concern, but no thanks."

"Why are you being so ungrateful?" His tone hardened again. "I chased you for two whole months! We finally made it official, and you dump me on day one? Are you playing games with me?"

Without another word, I hung up.

Before I could even put my phone down, a barrage of texts flooded in, full of accusations and self-righteous lectures.

I muted his notifications, tossed my phone aside, and sank deep into the cushions.

My mind involuntarily wandered back to how he acted when he was pursuing me.

He wasn't like this at all back then.

During those two months, Austin pulled out all the stops.

Morning texts, night texts, random DoorDash deliveries of my favorite iced matcha lattes to my office.

Whenever I worked late, he'd show up outside my office building without me even asking, insisting on driving me home because he "worried about me being out late alone."

Back then, I thought he was generous. A stand-up guy who didn't sweat the small stuff.

I scrolled through our chat history. Since we met, he'd spent at least a couple hundred bucks on me.

He had never once mentioned going Dutch. I genuinely believed he cared about me.

Yet on day one of being an official couple, he charged me for the gas it took to drive me home.

The more I thought about it, the more absurd it felt.

Was he looking for a girlfriend, or was he hiring an accountant?

If he counted pennies like this on day one, what would the future look like?

Splitting dinner down to the cent?

Splitting movie tickets?

Splitting rent, utilities, and grocery bags fifty-fifty after marriage?

Splitting the hospital bill for childbirth fifty-fifty?

I let out a breath, relieved that his mask slipped so early.

At least it had only lasted one day. Nothing shameful about it—just a bullet dodged.

I took a hot shower, ready to sleep early for work tomorrow.

Just as I finished blow-drying my hair, the doorbell rang.

I peeked through the peephole, and my heart jumped into my throat.

Austin was standing in the hallway, holding a grocery bag, looking somewhere between furious and aggrieved.

I hesitated for a moment before unlocking the door, keeping it slightly ajar.

"How do you know my exact apartment number?"

"I drove you home so many times, of course I know."

He sounded totally entitled, already leaning his shoulder in to push his way inside.

"Let me in. We need to talk."

I blocked the doorway, refusing to budge.

"Say whatever you want right here."