Eric frowned.
“Why are you being so dramatic?”
“I’m not,” I replied. “I’m being clear.”
They shifted uncomfortably.
“I’ve paid this household’s bills. I’ve cooked every meal. I’ve cleaned, covered rent, and given up promotions and opportunities. All for people who have never once said thank you.”
Vivien scoffed.
“So what? You want a medal?”
Rachel laughed.
“You act like you’re the only one working.”
I looked at them and said nothing because I wasn’t trying to convince them.
I was just preparing them.
After that night, I quietly stopped covering the utilities.
First the internet.
Then the heating.
When the gas was shut off, Vivien screamed, “What kind of house is this? I couldn’t even heat my tea.”
I shrugged.
“Must have been a mistake.”
Rachel banged on my door.
“Nina, the Wi-Fi is dead.”
I smiled gently.
“Guess the bill didn’t go through.”
Eric came to me confused.
“Are we okay financially? You never miss payments.”
I kissed him on the cheek.
“I guess even failures mess up sometimes.”
He didn’t know what to say.
And I didn’t care.
Every day that passed, I transferred more into my secret account.
Every dollar felt like a brick being added to my future.
A future without them.
Then the invitation came.
Eric’s birthday dinner.
A full family gathering.
Vivien wanted to invite her sister and cousins, make it a real celebration.
She even asked if I could buy the wine.
I said yes, gladly, because that night would be the end of my role as their silent servant.
The night before the dinner, I stayed up late printing documents.
I had the folder ready.
A legal separation letter for Eric.
A financial statement showing everything I’d paid.
A formal eviction notice for Vivien and Rachel, courtesy of my lawyer.
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