“It’ll be great. We’re both recent graduates, so living together makes more sense. We can split the bills 50-50,” Ashton told Lana. She was unsure if moving in together after eight months of dating was wise.

“I don’t know, Ashton. It’s a big commitment. We just graduated,” Lana hesitated.

“Well, it’s the only way we can move to the city and find jobs together. I have money for the deposit. I’ll handle everything if you let me,” Ashton urged.

“Okay, I agree. Living in the city is expensive. Once we find jobs, it’ll be fine,” she accepted.

Ashton quickly found an apartment, and Lana moved in a few weeks later. The rent was reasonable, and splitting it made sense.

“You can send the rent money to me, and I’ll pay the landlord,” Ashton suggested.

“Does that cover utilities and Wi-Fi?” Lana wondered.

“How about you pay the Wi-Fi?” Ashton replied. Lana agreed, wanting to be helpful.

This arrangement worked for years until Lana wanted to buy a house together. They needed to discuss their future.

“Honey, do you see us going further?” she asked one night.

“Of course, but I wasn’t sure you wanted to get married anytime soon,” Ashton said.

“I’m not into weddings, but I thought it was time to find a house. I’d rather use that money toward a mortgage,” Lana explained.

“That sounds great, but I don’t know if we’ve saved enough for a down payment,” Ashton hesitated.

One day, while cleaning their room, Lana discovered some documents Ashton had left in disarray. Curious, she started organizing them and found a deed with their apartment address. Ashton was listed as the owner.

When Ashton returned with dinner, Lana confronted him.

“What is this? You own this apartment?” she asked, holding the document.

“What are you doing going through my things?” he deflected.

“No. Don’t change the subject. This is an ownership deed. Tell me the truth!” Lana insisted.

“Okay, yes, I’m the owner,” Ashton admitted.

“What about what I paid in rent?” Lana pressed.

“I used it to pay the mortgage. My parents helped with the down payment,” he explained.

“So, you lied to me?” she asked, hurt.

“Yes, but it’s like you rented from me,” he justified.

“A mortgage wouldn’t have been as high as rent. Was your mortgage $1,600 a month?” Lana questioned.

“Well, no. The mortgage was a bit more than what you paid,” he admitted.

“You lied to me!” she yelled, tears in her eyes. “I could have saved so much money! What did you do with your money?!”

“I saved it,” Ashton replied.

“For yourself! I’m talking to a lawyer! I’m moving out!” Lana screamed.

“Please, don’t leave. I love you!” Ashton pleaded.

She received a bank alert that Ashton sent her money, but it was too late.

“Goodbye, Ashton. I’ll be back for my things soon,” she said, leaving for a hotel.

Lana soon found a smaller apartment nearby. She valued the honesty of her new situation and wanted to cut ties with Ashton.

Ashton called, but Lana refused to return. Eventually, he stopped. One day, she received an alert about a deposit from Ashton. He had sent her what she could have saved if they’d split costs fairly. It was a nice gesture, but Lana was already moving forward with her life.