o be understa

and waiting by her feet. She didn't look at me, her focus w

His grandfather died last week.

ords didn't make sense. Jake Peterson was her ex-boyfriend. T

u?" I asked,

a mix of impatience and pity, as if I was slow for not understanding the

rtment I paid for. She expected me to ju

health is fragile. He needs to see that I'm with a man who is supportive and understanding. A

ed any hint of self-respect. My money was good enough for her father's expensive medical treatments, my time was g

the first time, I saw her clearly. The entitlement, the casual disregard for me, it was all the

. Not yet. I ju

ly, her voice softening into a tone of deep, comf

ll be there as soon as I can. Yes, I'll stay as

mile on her face. "I know. I know. I'll t

her business-like demeanor returnin

ll need some cash. For funeral expenses and things for Jake

ery list, not her abandoning our life to care for anoth

own voice sounded

bout five hundred dollars, and handed it to her. Then I walked to the small bowl by the door

round them. She didn

ding, satisfied. "I k

tcase. At the door, she paused and lo

row. The payment for his private care is due.

ked shut, leaving me alone in th