By the time she reread the invoice for the third time, the romance had evaporated, replaced by a sharp, almost surreal clarity. Every itemized “charge” turned what she’d mistaken for kindness into a transaction, exposing how fragile first impressions can be when entitlement hides behind chivalry. Sharing the message with Mia and Chris didn’t just turn the situation into a joke; it helped her reclaim her power, reminding her that being treated well isn’t a debt she owes back.
The angry texts that followed only confirmed what the invoice had already revealed: his generosity had never been genuine, only an investment he expected to cash in. Blocking his number felt less like cutting off a potential relationship and more like closing the door on a lesson learned the hard way. That tiny keychain, once a sweet gesture, became a quiet warning she carried with her—proof that real respect never comes with terms and conditions.
