the home I thought we were building, now felt like a stage set. A very expensive, beauti

xhaustion from his "long drive" ba

keys on the counter. He tried to wrap his arms arou

otice. He was too bu

ce. He held up a small, grease-stained paper bag. "I know ho

imentary refreshments from the Hamptons open house. The same

with free snacks, performing his role as the poor, devoted boyfriend. A

?" he asked, his

d to see how far he would take this. "I don' t think we can afford

never heard from him before. It was the real h

, Gabi. We' ll be fine.

hought I couldn' t see him, but his reflection was perfectl

later, my phone pin

"property manag

Adjustment for

anipulation was so blatant, so insulting, it stole my breath. He owned the building. He was my landlord. He had jus

atisfied look on his face. "See?

it. The f

m, the email still glow

re beautiful toda

lank. The color

you talki

you gave away to that model." I held up my phone, showing him the Goog

ed, my voice dripping with ice.