Chapter 2

In the end, I gave in and paid for her cousin's wedding gift.

But after getting what she wanted, Chloe didn't write it down in her spreadsheet.

"Well, we didn't split this one down the middle, so how am I supposed to log it?" she shrugged.

"Don't be so petty, Luke. Just let it go."

She shut me up by gaslighting me again.

She was a master at double standards.

Later that day, I vented to my buddies on WhatsApp.

My close friend, Zach, who went to college with us, sent me a message. [Wait, man. I don't remember Chloe being like this back in college. What happened to her over the years?]

Zach, Chloe, and I all went to the same university.

Although Chloe and I didn't start dating until after graduation, the three of us used to hang out all the time back then.

Zach knew what Chloe used to be like.

"I have no idea where she picked this up. But right after we got married, she insisted on this lifestyle," I texted back, feeling defeated.

Looking back, Chloe brought up the 50/50 rule the morning after our wedding.

She claimed her parents suggested it, saying it was the best way to prevent financial arguments.

"You have no idea how many young couples divorce because of money, Luke," she had said back then, looking so innocent and sweet.

"My parents just want the best for us. Let's just listen to them, okay?"

Because I loved her, I agreed.

At first, I thought sharing expenses was normal, so I didn't think much of it.

[Honestly, Luke, you need to have a serious talk with her. Marriage shouldn't feel like a business transaction. How can you build a life together like this?] Zach texted back, trying to talk some sense into me.

Even outsiders could see how toxic this was, yet Chloe had dragged this on for years.

I texted him a quick "Yeah, I know," but then my phone buzzed again. It was a screenshot from Chloe.

It was an Amazon receipt for a brand-new $1,200 gaming laptop.

[Hey, I accidentally broke your laptop, so I threw it out and ordered a new one. Remember to transfer me your half of the cost, okay?]

Her casual tone made my heart drop.

I ran to our home office to check. Sure enough, the laptop I had carefully placed on my desk was gone.

That was a brand-new laptop I had bought just a month ago!

How could she just break it, throw it away, and expect me to pay for its replacement?!

And since she was the one who broke it, why on earth was she asking me to pay 50% for the new one?!