I’d been with Patrick for two years, and everything seemed fine on the surface. We’d have our casual dates, conversations, and laughs together. But deep down, I knew something was off. He never made any effort to move forward in our relationship, always pushing the idea of commitment to the back burner.
Then, life threw me a curveball. My aunt passed away, leaving me her fully paid-off three-bedroom apartment. I was shocked, but also relieved to have a secure place to call my own. When I shared the news with Patrick, his demeanor changed overnight. He showered me with attention, brought me flowers, and even proposed with a ring.
At first, I was taken aback by his sudden change of heart. But as I looked closer, I realized his proposal wasn’t about our love or future together; it was about the apartment. He wanted a free ride, and I was the ticket to that ride.
I decided to play along, pretending to be the happy fiancée. But I set a boundary: he couldn’t enter the apartment before me. He agreed, thinking he’d already won the prize. Little did he know, I was just biding my time.
As the days went by, Patrick transformed into the perfect boyfriend. He cooked me dinner, talked about our future, and even mentioned getting a huge flat-screen TV for the living room. But I saw right through his act.
The moment of truth arrived when I came home early and found Patrick and his mother measuring the living room, planning to move in. That’s when I realized he’d never truly cared for me; he just wanted the apartment.
I confronted him, and the truth came out. He admitted he’d only proposed because of the apartment, and his mother chimed in, defending her son’s actions. But I wasn’t having it. I revealed that I’d sold the apartment, and Patrick’s world came crashing down.
In the end, I kicked him out, blocked his number, and started fresh. I moved to a new city, got a cozy apartment on my own terms, and began living life the way I deserved – without freeloaders or manipulative partners.
Looking back, I realized I’d been settling for too long. But that experience taught me to stand up for myself and prioritize my own happiness. Sometimes, it takes a little courage to take control of your life and make the changes you need to be truly fulfilled.
