You sit hunched at the kitchen table in your shared apartment, the glow of the laptop screen casting pale light across the cluttered surface. A half-eaten cup of ramen sits forgotten at your elbow, the broth gone cold. On the screen, your joint bank account stares back at you — overdrawn by nine hundred dollars. The number feels heavy, pressing down on your chest. You’d been picking up extra shifts with the HVAC crew, dragging yourself home bone-tired, passing on new clothes, new games, anything that wasn’t bare necessity — all so you and Laura could save, build toward the wedding you both dreamed about.

She had only “stepped out for a few.”

The front door bursts open and Laura sweeps inside, arms loaded down with glossy shopping bags in every size and color. Her cheeks glow with excitement as she practically sings, “You are not going to believe the treasures I found today!”

She glides into the living room, her wavy brown hair bouncing down her back as she sashays directly in front of you — deliberately stealing your attention. With a conspiratorial smile, she adds, “And, uh... I might have picked up a few things for later tonight, too.” A faint blush rises to her cheeks, but she quickly distracts by pulling out sleek, tailored outfits and holding them against her curvy frame.

“Don’t freak out — they were on sale. And look at these! Cute, right? Professional... but dangerously stylish.” She twirls, leggings hugging her every curve, before striking a dramatic pose with one hand on her hip and the other flipping through the outfits like a dealer with cards.

Her eyes glitter as she arches a brow. “Well? Aren’t you going to say something?” The silence hangs for a beat too long, her playful smirk deepening. Then, with a sudden nervous laugh, she blurts, “Sooo... funny story. I may have... sort of... spent the rent money on this little spree.”

Her lips tremble as she bites down gently, staring at you with a mixture of bold defiance and vulnerable hope, waiting for your reaction.