Change is always hard. It sneaks into your life quietly and rearranges everything before you even realize what\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Change is always hard<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A month ago, my fianc\u00e9 Mark was demoted at work. We\u2019d spent two years in a sunny apartment close to downtown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But overnight, his paycheck shrank, and suddenly, my savings had to stretch further than I\u2019d ever planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We started looking for a cheaper place, though I could already tell Mark hated the idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A month ago, my fianc\u00e9 Mark was demoted at work<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I found this apartment, I thought it was fine, nothing fancy, but clean, bright, and close enough to my office. Mark disagreed the second he saw it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is still too expensive,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the cheapest one that isn\u2019t falling apart,\u201d I replied. \u201cIf we go lower, we\u2019ll have leaky ceilings and cockroaches running across the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is still too expensive\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt least cockroaches don\u2019t charge a security deposit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We argued until late that evening, words bouncing off the empty walls. In the end, he gave up, or maybe he just ran out of energy. The next day, we signed the lease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the time I got off work on moving day, Mark had already brought most of the boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We argued until late that evening<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I arrived, I saw him standing in the hallway with an older woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh,\u201d I said. \u201cHi.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is Mrs. Doyle,\u201d Mark said. \u201cShe owns the place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I saw him standing in the hallway with an older woman<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo you\u2019re the fianc\u00e9e,\u201d she said. \u201cBefore you settle in, I have a few rules.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She handed me a printed sheet. \u201cNo guests without my permission. No parties. No more than six visitors at once. No noise after eight p.m. Cleaning, proper cleaning, every week. No pets of any kind. And if you plan to have children, I expect a year\u2019s notice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBefore you settle in, I have a few rules\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA year\u2019s notice?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChildren cause damage. I like to be prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I forced a smile and nodded, the paper rustling in my hands. \u201cGot it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI like to be prepared\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you want to change anything in the apartment,\u201d she continued, \u201ceven wallpaper, it must be approved by me first. And you\u2019ll pay for it yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI live next door, so I\u2019ll be keeping an eye on things. I hope we\u2019ll get along.\u201d She turned and disappeared through her door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you want to change anything in the apartment it must be approved by me first\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The moment she was gone, I exhaled loudly. \u201cWow,\u201d I said. \u201cLucky us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark just shrugged. \u201cYou picked this place. Don\u2019t blame me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not fair,\u201d I said. \u201cWe both agreed\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLucky us\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou pushed for it,\u201d he cut me off. \u201cYou always do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stood up, grabbed his jacket, and said he was going out for a walk. I reminded him we still had boxes to unpack, but he waved me off. \u201cI\u2019ll do it later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the door closed behind him, the apartment fell silent. I looked around at the half-unpacked boxes, and felt the weight of the day settle on my shoulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou pushed for it\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I woke up on the kitchen floor with a stiff neck and a spoon pressed into my arm. The half-unpacked box of dishes stood beside me, plates and cups piled in messy stacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I blinked a few times, trying to remember why I wasn\u2019t in bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark walked into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. \u201cWhat are you doing down there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I blinked a few times, trying to remember why I wasn\u2019t in bed<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI guess I passed out,\u201d I said. \u201cRight in the middle of sorting plates.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He didn\u2019t respond, just opened the fridge and poured himself some juice. I sighed, brushed off the dust from my jeans, and went to take a shower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I stepped out, Mark was standing by the door, already dressed and tying his shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI guess I passed out\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going somewhere?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, meeting the guys. Haven\u2019t seen them in a while.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMark,\u201d I said, \u201cwe were supposed to go choose wallpaper today. We both have the day off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going somewhere?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan\u2019t you just go on your own?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo. We\u2019re supposed to pick it together. Besides, I can\u2019t carry everything myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFine. Let\u2019s get it over with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan\u2019t you just go on your own?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trip to the store was silent. I compared colors and textures while he scrolled through his phone, barely looking up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I finally chose something simple, he muttered, \u201cSure, whatever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the time we returned, I was exhausted. \u201cGo inside,\u201d I told him. \u201cI\u2019ll show the wallpaper to Mrs. Doyle so she doesn\u2019t make us redo it later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trip to the store was silent<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan\u2019t wait to hear what she says.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I knocked on Mrs. Doyle\u2019s door, she opened it just a few inches, her face sour. \u201cIt\u2019s Saturday,\u201d she snapped. \u201cI told you not to disturb me on weekends. Didn\u2019t you read the rules?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d I said quickly. \u201cI didn\u2019t know. I just wanted to check if these wallpapers are fine to use.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDidn\u2019t you read the rules?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mrs. Doyle looked at the rolls in my hands and said, \u201cFine. Though I expected better taste. I could\u2019ve rented this apartment for more money, but I decided to give you a chance. Apparently, that was generous enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you. We\u2019ll start today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI could\u2019ve rented this apartment for more money, but I decided to give you a chance\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll come by to check when you\u2019re done,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh\u2026 when we\u2019re home, right?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen we\u2019re home?\u201d I repeated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll come by to check when you\u2019re done\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mrs. Doyle ignored me and shut the door in my face. The sound of the lock clicked like a warning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I exhaled slowly and went back inside. Mark was stretched out on the couch, scrolling through his phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeriously?\u201d I asked. \u201cWe need to strip the old wallpaper.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFine. I\u2019ll take the bedroom. You handle the living room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course,\u201d I muttered. \u201cYou always pick the smaller room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He didn\u2019t answer. We each went to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou always pick the smaller room\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a few hours, Mark\u2019s voice cut through the silence. \u201cHey\u2026 come here for a second.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I walked into the bedroom, he was standing perfectly still in the middle of the room, eyes fixed on one of the walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey\u2026 come here for a second\u201d
He didn\u2019t move, just pointed. \u201cLook.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My hands went cold, my breath caught halfway in my throat, and I just stood there beside him, unable to say a word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My eyes traced the message on the wall: GET OUT OF HERE!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The words smeared unevenly, red and raw, stretching on the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GET OUT OF HERE!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark swallowed hard. \u201cWe should call the police,\u201d he said finally, his voice low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I nodded, still staring at the wall. My fingers trembled as I dialed. When the operator answered, I tried to explain, the writing, the paint, the apartment we\u2019d just moved into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man on the line snorted softly. \u201cMa\u2019am, that\u2019s just a prank from the previous tenants. Happens all the time. We\u2019re not sending anyone for that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe should call the police\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut what if it\u2019s not,\u201d I said quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He laughed. \u201cYou want a patrol car? I can send one if you\u2019d like to pay a fine for a false report.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNever mind.\u201d I hung up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark looked at me. \u201cWhat did they say?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou want a patrol car? I can send one if you\u2019d like to pay a fine for a false report\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey laughed,\u201d I said. \u201cThey\u2019re not coming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen we should talk to Mrs. Doyle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hesitated. \u201cNo. She said she wanted to rent this apartment for more money. Maybe she\u2019s trying to scare us off. Maybe she wrote that herself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not coming\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy would she go that far?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d I said, glancing back at the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He sighed, already turning toward the door. \u201cFine. I\u2019ll grab water and a sponge. Let\u2019s wash it off and get those new wallpapers up. I don\u2019t want to look at it anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy would she go that far?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When he left the room, I stayed. My hand reached out almost on its own, fingertips brushing the letters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The paint was still slightly sticky, not dripping, but soft, as if it had been done in the last few hours. I stepped back, shivering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next day, Mark said he had some errands and left early. The idea of Mrs. Doyle sneaking in while we were gone made my stomach twist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The paint was still slightly sticky, not dripping, but soft, as if it had been done in the last few hours<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I needed proof. So I drove to a store and bought a few small security cameras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I got home, I hid them carefully, one in the living room, one near the entrance, and one in the bedroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If she tried to come in again, I\u2019d know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I needed proof<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That Monday, I stayed late at work. When I finally returned home, Mrs. Doyle was standing in the hallway, arms crossed. \u201cYou and your fianc\u00e9 need to control yourselves,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d I blinked. \u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know you\u2019re engaged and young, but this is a residential building. Two hours of that racket today was too much. Some of us like peace and quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou and your fianc\u00e9 need to control yourselves\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was at work all day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t lie to me, dear. Next time, I\u2019ll file a complaint.\u201d She turned and disappeared into her apartment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stood there for a moment, stunned, then went inside. She had to be lying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t lie to me, dear\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark wasn\u2019t home yet, so I opened my laptop and checked the camera feed. I fast-forwarded through the morning, Mark and I were leaving for work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, not long after, Mrs. Doyle appeared on screen. She stepped inside, looked around, and then left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My stomach tightened, but that was all she did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mrs. Doyle appeared on screen<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An hour later, the footage showed the door opening again. This time, it was Mark. I frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He wasn\u2019t supposed to be home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He dropped his bag, went to the closet, and pulled out a bucket, filled with something dark red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He wasn\u2019t supposed to be home
He took it out of the apartment and came back a few minutes later. The writing on the wall wasn\u2019t a warning from strangers, it was his.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I leaned closer to the screen, barely breathing. Then another figure appeared, a woman I didn\u2019t recognize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Younger, blonde, wearing a short red dress. She wrapped her arms around him, and he kissed her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then another figure appeared, a woman I didn\u2019t recognize<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I watched in silence as they laughed, then kissed again. At one point, he opened my drawer, took out a few bills, and handed them to the food delivery guy at the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the woman finally left, Mark changed back into his work clothes and left the apartment like nothing had happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I slammed the laptop shut and sat there, staring at the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I watched in silence as they laughed, then kissed again<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Mark came home later that night, I was waiting by the door. \u201cI know,\u201d I said the second he stepped inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKnow what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know you wrote the message on the wall. I know you\u2019ve been lying about work, stealing money from me, and bringing another woman here.\u201d
\u201cI know\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to scare you,\u201d he said quickly. \u201cI just hated this apartment. I wanted us to move somewhere cheaper, that\u2019s all. It was supposed to push you to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou think the writing on the wall is what matters right now? You cheated on me. You lied. You stole from me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou think the writing on the wall is what matters right now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t have to end like this. We can fix it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, Mark,\u201d I said. \u201cI already packed my things. The movers are coming for the furniture tomorrow. I paid for it, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd what am I supposed to do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe can fix it\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I took off my engagement ring and tossed it to the floor between us. \u201cYou\u2019ll figure it out. You never wanted to live here anyway. So soon you\u2019ll be evicted for nonpayment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I walked out of the apartment, finally glad for the changes in my life, knowing I could live the way I wanted, without cheating fianc\u00e9s or crazy landladies.\u201cFine. I\u2019ll take the bedroom. You handle the living room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course,\u201d I muttered. \u201cYou always pick the smaller room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He didn\u2019t answer. We each went to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou always pick the smaller room\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a few hours, Mark\u2019s voice cut through the silence. \u201cHey\u2026 come here for a second.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I walked into the bedroom, he was standing perfectly still in the middle of the room, eyes fixed on one of the walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey\u2026 come here for a second\u201d
He didn\u2019t move, just pointed. \u201cLook.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My hands went cold, my breath caught halfway in my throat, and I just stood there beside him, unable to say a word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My eyes traced the message on the wall: GET OUT OF HERE!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The words smeared unevenly, red and raw, stretching on the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GET OUT OF HERE!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark swallowed hard. \u201cWe should call the police,\u201d he said finally, his voice low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I nodded, still staring at the wall. My fingers trembled as I dialed. When the operator answered, I tried to explain, the writing, the paint, the apartment we\u2019d just moved into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man on the line snorted softly. \u201cMa\u2019am, that\u2019s just a prank from the previous tenants. Happens all the time. We\u2019re not sending anyone for that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe should call the police\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut what if it\u2019s not,\u201d I said quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He laughed. \u201cYou want a patrol car? I can send one if you\u2019d like to pay a fine for a false report.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNever mind.\u201d I hung up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark looked at me. \u201cWhat did they say?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou want a patrol car? I can send one if you\u2019d like to pay a fine for a false report\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey laughed,\u201d I said. \u201cThey\u2019re not coming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen we should talk to Mrs. Doyle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hesitated. \u201cNo. She said she wanted to rent this apartment for more money. Maybe she\u2019s trying to scare us off. Maybe she wrote that herself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not coming\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy would she go that far?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d I said, glancing back at the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He sighed, already turning toward the door. \u201cFine. I\u2019ll grab water and a sponge. Let\u2019s wash it off and get those new wallpapers up. I don\u2019t want to look at it anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy would she go that far?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When he left the room, I stayed. My hand reached out almost on its own, fingertips brushing the letters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The paint was still slightly sticky, not dripping, but soft, as if it had been done in the last few hours. I stepped back, shivering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next day, Mark said he had some errands and left early. The idea of Mrs. Doyle sneaking in while we were gone made my stomach twist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The paint was still slightly sticky, not dripping, but soft, as if it had been done in the last few hours<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I needed proof. So I drove to a store and bought a few small security cameras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I got home, I hid them carefully, one in the living room, one near the entrance, and one in the bedroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If she tried to come in again, I\u2019d know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I needed proof<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That Monday, I stayed late at work. When I finally returned home, Mrs. Doyle was standing in the hallway, arms crossed. \u201cYou and your fianc\u00e9 need to control yourselves,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d I blinked. \u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know you\u2019re engaged and young, but this is a residential building. Two hours of that racket today was too much. Some of us like peace and quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou and your fianc\u00e9 need to control yourselves\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was at work all day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t lie to me, dear. Next time, I\u2019ll file a complaint.\u201d She turned and disappeared into her apartment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stood there for a moment, stunned, then went inside. She had to be lying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t lie to me, dear\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark wasn\u2019t home yet, so I opened my laptop and checked the camera feed. I fast-forwarded through the morning, Mark and I were leaving for work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, not long after, Mrs. Doyle appeared on screen. She stepped inside, looked around, and then left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My stomach tightened, but that was all she did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mrs. Doyle appeared on screen<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An hour later, the footage showed the door opening again. This time, it was Mark. I frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He wasn\u2019t supposed to be home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He dropped his bag, went to the closet, and pulled out a bucket, filled with something dark red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He wasn\u2019t supposed to be home
He took it out of the apartment and came back a few minutes later. The writing on the wall wasn\u2019t a warning from strangers, it was his.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I leaned closer to the screen, barely breathing. Then another figure appeared, a woman I didn\u2019t recognize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Younger, blonde, wearing a short red dress. She wrapped her arms around him, and he kissed her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then another figure appeared, a woman I didn\u2019t recognize<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I watched in silence as they laughed, then kissed again. At one point, he opened my drawer, took out a few bills, and handed them to the food delivery guy at the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the woman finally left, Mark changed back into his work clothes and left the apartment like nothing had happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I slammed the laptop shut and sat there, staring at the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I watched in silence as they laughed, then kissed again<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Mark came home later that night, I was waiting by the door. \u201cI know,\u201d I said the second he stepped inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKnow what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know you wrote the message on the wall. I know you\u2019ve been lying about work, stealing money from me, and bringing another woman here.\u201d
\u201cI know\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to scare you,\u201d he said quickly. \u201cI just hated this apartment. I wanted us to move somewhere cheaper, that\u2019s all. It was supposed to push you to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou think the writing on the wall is what matters right now? You cheated on me. You lied. You stole from me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou think the writing on the wall is what matters right now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t have to end like this. We can fix it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, Mark,\u201d I said. \u201cI already packed my things. The movers are coming for the furniture tomorrow. I paid for it, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd what am I supposed to do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe can fix it\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I took off my engagement ring and tossed it to the floor between us. \u201cYou\u2019ll figure it out. You never wanted to live here anyway. So soon you\u2019ll be evicted for nonpayment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I walked out of the apartment, finally glad for the changes in my life, knowing I could live the way I wanted, without cheating fianc\u00e9s or crazy landladies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Change is always hard. It sneaks into your life quietly and rearranges everything before you even realize what\u2019s happening. Change is always hard A month ago, my fianc\u00e9 Mark was demoted at…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3747,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3746","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interesting-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n