Chapter 5
I pulled out my phone and texted Jessica.
[He won't pay me back. Time to sue.]
Jessica replied instantly: Perfect. Paperwork's done. We're filing tomorrow.]
I looked at her message and smiled.
Ryan, just you wait.
I was getting back every single dollar of that 50 thousand.
Not a single penny less.
That afternoon, I went to Jessica's law firm.
She had everything ready.
"Em, take a look at this complaint. See if there's anything off."
I took the complaint and read it over carefully.
Plaintiff: Emily Brooks
Defendant: Ryan Miller
Relief Sought:
Ryan pays back the 50,000 dollars I spent on him.
Ryan returns 30,000 dollars for furniture and appliances.
Defendant bears all court costs.
Facts and Reasons:
Emily and Ryan started dating in November 2022 and moved in together in November 2023. While living together, Emily paid all rent, covered all living expenses, and bought Ryan clothes and electronics—totaling 50,000 dollars. She also purchased furniture and appliances worth 30,000 dollars.
Starting November 2024, Ryan had an affair with Sophia Carter and sent her 40,000 dollars. In November 2025, the day Emily got her Nurse Practitioner job, Ryan took his belongings and some of Emily's furniture, then broke up with her.
While dating and living with Emily, Ryan hid his affair with Sophia. He knew Emily was paying for everything but kept letting her cover expenses and even sent some of her money to Sophia. This constitutes civil fraud.
Emily is taking this to court to get back what's hers.
Once I finished reading, I nodded at Jessica. "Looks good to me."
"Alright, we'll head to the courthouse and file it tomorrow," Jessica said.
"Okay."
Jessica looked at me. "Em, are you absolutely sure? Once you do this, there's no turning back."
"I'm sure."
"Ryan's going to fight back. He'll probably say you gave him everything willingly."
"I've got the evidence."
"I know, but lawsuits take forever. This could drag on for months."
"It's fine. I've got plenty of time."
I looked at Jessica.
"Jess, if there's one thing I never regret, it's grinding for that NP job. Three years of hell, and I finally made it. Now I just want my money back—then I can start fresh."
Jessica nodded. "Alright, let's do this."
The next day, Jessica and I went to court.
We filed the case, handed in all the paperwork, and waited for the hearing notice.
Everything went smoothly.
The court staff checked out my evidence and said it was rock solid—looked like I'd got this in the bag.
"Ma'am, your evidence is extremely complete. Transfer records, chat logs, screenshots, photos—all admissible."
"So, when can we expect the hearing?" I asked.
"Probably about a month. We'll notify you."
"Alright, thanks."
Walking out of the courthouse, I let out a long breath.
Jessica patted my shoulder. "Em, now we just wait."
"Yeah."
"Use this time to get every detail straight. In court, Ryan will definitely try to twist things. Be ready."
"I know."
I looked up at the sky.
Brilliant blue. Sun shining bright.
"Jess, you know what? I suddenly feel like these three years weren't for nothing."
"Why's that?"
"At least I learned I can't put all my hopes on someone else."
Jessica smiled, "Exactly. Nothing's more reliable than standing on your own feet."
That night, I got home, sat in the living room, and turned on my laptop.
I dumped everything from Ryan's phone into one file.
Sorted the transfer records by date—47 in total.
Grouped the chat screenshots by topic—215 of them.
Photos, grouped by when they were taken—67 in total.
I broke down every expense from the past two years.
Rent: 800 dollars/month × 24 months = 19,200 dollars
Living expenses: 1,000 dollars/month × 24 months = 24,000 dollars
Things I bought for Ryan: clothes, shoes, gadgets = 6,800 dollars
Total: 50,000 dollars
Furniture and Appliances:
TV: 2,000
Couch: 3,000
Bed and mattress: 4,000
Wardrobe: 5,000
Coffee table: 700
Small appliances: 5,600
Kitchenware: 3,000
Bathroom supplies: 2,000
Curtains: 1,000
Rug: 700
Light fixtures: 3,000
Air conditioner: 2,000
Total: 30,000 dollars.
Grand total: 80,000 dollars.
Eighty thousand dollars.
As I stared at that number, something hit me.
I pulled out my phone and called Mom.
"Em, what's up?"
"Mom, I need to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"I broke up with Ryan."
After a long pause, Mom asked, "Why?"
"He cheated on me."
"What?" Mom's voice shot up. "That bastard! I always knew he was trouble!"
"Mom, don't be mad."
"How can I not be mad? Em, do you know how much you've spent on him? How could he do this to you?"
"I'm fine, really."
"Are you sure? Em, did you cry?"
"No," I smiled. "Mom, I didn't cry. I'm good now."
"Really?"
"Really. Mom, I finally landed that job. Things are looking up."
Mom sighed, "Em, you're out there alone. I'm worried."
"I know, Mom. But I'm really okay."
"So... what's your plan now?"
"I'm going to sue him and get my money back."
"Good! That's exactly what you should do! I'm backing you up all the way!"
"Mom, I'll come home to see you guys in a few days."
"Okay, I'll be waiting."
After hanging up, I sat back on the couch.
My eyes fixed on the endless rows of numbers on screen.
Eighty thousand dollars.
Three years grinding to land that NP job.
And three years feeding a snake.
But that was okay.
At least I was finally awake.
At least I knew what I needed to do next.
I shut down my laptop and walked to the balcony.
Late, but the city lights were still blazing.
Three years of grinding, and I finally made it.
But he'd already jumped to someone else.
Now, I was taking back everything that was mine.
Not a single penny less.
A week later, I got the court summons.
The hearing was set for December 15th.
Two weeks away.
I started prepping hard.
I printed out every single piece of evidence and bound them all together.
Forty-seven pages of transfer records.
Two hundred and fifteen pages of chat logs.
Sixty-seven pages of photos.
Plus my bank statements, shopping receipts, and rent slips.
It was a fat stack.