Lana agreed to move in with her boyfriend, Ashton, shortly after they both graduated, thinking it would be a practical decision for their future. He suggested splitting the rent and expenses evenly, and Lana, wanting to support their shared dream of city life, trusted him completely. For years, she sent her half of the rent to Ashton, who claimed he’d forward it to the landlord. The arrangement seemed fair—until they began discussing buying a house together.

When Lana brought up the idea of owning property, Ashton always found ways to dodge the conversation. One day, while tidying up their room, she stumbled across documents hidden in a closet. Her heart sank as she read them—Ashton wasn’t renting the apartment. He owned it. For years, he had taken her half of the rent and used it to pay the mortgage, without ever telling her the truth.

Shocked and hurt, Lana confronted Ashton, who tried to justify his actions, claiming he didn’t think she would agree to live there if she knew. But for Lana, it wasn’t just about the money—it was the betrayal. She had unknowingly helped build his equity while saving nothing for herself. Furious and heartbroken, she packed up and left, determined to start fresh on her own terms.

Though Ashton eventually repaid her what she could’ve saved had they split the actual costs, Lana had already moved on. The gesture, while appreciated, came too late. The trust was gone, and Lana knew she deserved a relationship built on honesty—not deception.