Chapter 3

I had already treated him more than well enough.

I paid his tuition, his living expenses, and even his daily necessities. So why was he still so awful to me?

All I ever wanted was for him to be a little nicer, a little more understanding.

I couldn't hold it back anymore and cried out, "Jacob, do you even care about me? You're seriously driving me insane!"

I continued, "Do you know how humiliating it feels every time I have to beg you for money? You always talk down to me over money that is mine to begin with! Because you won't give me anything, I eat bread every day. I don't even dare buy myself a drink. I haven't eaten out in forever!

"Why do other guys treat their girlfriends so much better? Why do you treat me like crap? What did I ever do to you?"

By the end, I just lost it and cried my eyes out.

Jacob just listened in silence.

Once my sobs finally quieted down, he spoke in that cold, rational tone of his. "Didn't we always get by like this before?"

He went on, "Olivia, did you forget? We're not like everyone else. Other people have parents and family to fall back on. But for us, we only have each other! It's tough now, but once I finish grad school, I'll make sure you get the good life you deserve.

"And I've noticed, since you started working, you've gotten more and more delicate. Face cream, makeup, and new clothes. Now you want drinks and good food. Are those necessities? You used to live without them just fine.

"And besides, if you didn't make me angry all the time, would I need to use money to keep you in line? This isn't about money. I just don't feel secure. Why don't you reflect on yourself? We're long-distance, baby, it's just because I love you too much."

Eventually, my tears ran dry.

Jacob's voice just kept droning on. But I could feel my heart turning to ice.

It was always like this. Every time we argued, Jacob would start off with his logic, then he'd soften up and say something nice.

I was always so soft-hearted. By the time he got to that point, I'd usually end up forgiving him.

But my coworker's boyfriend was a whole different story. He'd always know how to sweet-talk her.

She could get upset or angry whenever she felt like it, and he'd just go along with it.

One day, I actually saw her toss the flowers he'd bought her straight into the trash. Those flowers were so pretty.

Jacob's never given me flowers. Not even once.

No way I wasn't jealous. But, Jacob really was kind of terrible at this.

I didn't say a word.

Jacob's voice softened. "Baby, can we just hold on for one more year? Just one more year, and I'll be done with grad school. Then I'll come find you.

"How about this? You keep enough for your own living expenses, and send the rest of your paycheck to me. I'll keep paying for your rent and bills."

He continued, "Baby, it's not like I want your money. Our money is all saved together. You're too far away, and I have no sense of security! I'm scared you'll suddenly dump me. Now that you're working and financially independent, meeting more people... It terrifies me."

I asked softly, "When you hold back my allowance, do you ever worry I might go hungry?"

He didn't understand why I would ask that.

He just shrugged and said, "Isn't this how we've always done things? Back then, things were even tougher than now, so why can't you handle it anymore?

"Did you even hear me, Olivia? When you're out, don't talk to other guys. No short skirts, no makeup. You need to update me every day, understand? And don't keep me waiting for your replies."

I honestly couldn't figure out why Jacob was always making things so difficult.

I sent him money every month like clockwork, made sure he had new clothes, shoes, and all the daily stuff he needed, and I kept sending him food deliveries too.

Most of my paycheck went straight to him.

Every time I got off work, I'd call or video him, and I'd always share what I was doing whenever I had a chance.

But Jacob? He barely ever replied to my messages. When we did talk, he'd just mute himself and do his own thing, never bothering to share anything about his day.

If I ever tried to stand up for myself, he'd just get mad at me.

I felt like I was stuck under Jacob's thumb, just like I was at the bottom of the sea. I was suffocating, but I couldn't swim up.

Honestly, I was the one getting the short end of the stick in this relationship.

But he just couldn't see it. All he ever cared about was his own unhappiness.

Blinking back tears, I sighed. "I'm done sending you my salary. Just like I said earlier. I earned this money. I want to spend it myself."

I thought for sure Jacob would just hang up at this point. I was even bracing myself for him to dump me.

After all, if he wouldn't budge, I wasn't about to back down either.

But instead, Jacob totally lost it. His furious yelling exploded from the other end of the line. "What the hell are you spending money on?"