When Tyler asked me to move in after two years of dating, I thought it meant we were building a life together. I gave up my cramped apartment, decorated his place with love, cooked, cleaned, and fully settled in. Six weeks later, I opened the fridge and found an envelope taped to the orange juice. Inside? An invoice. Rent: $1,100 Utilities: $135 “Comfort contribution”: $75 Even a $40 “wear and tear” fee. Total: $1,350 — due in five days. I laughed,

thinking it was a joke. It wasn’t.Tyler stood there, calmly sipping a protein shake, and said, “This is what adults do. You need to contribute.” But you own the place,” I pointed out. “And I’ve been contributing — just not on paper.” He didn’t care. He didn’t want a partner; he wanted a tenant. So I played along — until I brought in a “roommate” to split costs: Jordan, my platonic friend who needed a place to stay. When Tyler came home and saw us sharing takeout,