She redecorated without permission, invited relatives over, and told everyone Evan was “taking care of everyone.” At family dinners, she praised his generosity while I sat nearby, quietly paying for the wine, groceries, and roof over her head.
Evan never corrected her.
Nobody seemed to acknowledge that I paid $12,000 each month.
My software consulting firm had arranged a relocation agreement when I moved states for a major client. The lease was solely in my name. I paid the deposit, utilities, insurance, furnishings, landscaping, and cleaning service.
Evan contributed nothing toward the house.
Yet Diane assumed it belonged to him simply because he lived there.
“So where exactly am I supposed to go?” I asked.
She shrugged. “You make good money. You’ll figure it out.”
Lauren smiled into her wineglass.
Michael added, “Honestly, this place is wasted on two people.”
I turned to Evan.
He finally spoke. “Maybe we could just do this for a year.”
