“Maybe you just need to give it more time,” Lisa’s friend advised. “You just started there a few months ago.”

“Lisa, please,” Troy uttered, his tone implying a depth of frustration. “You could not comprehend. Give me space.”

However, Lisa couldn’t contain her excitement when she learned about a remarkable opportunity she had just received. She anticipated that Troy would share in her enthusiasm for celebrating her achievement. To her surprise, Troy expressed genuine pride and excitement. “Really, babe,” he said as he arrived at her flat to pick her up. “This is a big deal, and I’m proud of you.”

The evening began pleasantly. Troy arrived with a bouquet of roses, waiting patiently for Lisa to finish getting ready—a stark contrast to his usual impatience on such occasions. “Come on,” Lisa called out, “I’m ready!” Troy put down his phone, rose from the couch, and guided her out to his car.

During the drive, an unusual calm prevailed. For once, the silence felt comforting rather than tense, and Lisa hoped that this signaled a positive change in Troy’s attitude. Their dinner was set against a backdrop of soft lighting and a breathtaking city skyline. As they toasted with champagne, Troy raised his glass and declared, “To the most amazing woman I know,” clinking his glass against hers. “And to many more successes to come.”

Lisa, caught up in the moment, echoed, “To us and to the future!” They discussed their dreams, such as moving in together and taking a long-awaited vacation to Bali, while perusing the menu and placing their orders.

Troy remarked, “I just think it’s time,” referencing their future plans. “And now that you have your promotion, it will be much easier for us.” The evening continued smoothly until the waitress arrived with their meals. Troy, who had been drinking, gave the waitress two winks in an attempt to get her attention. Lisa, accustomed to Troy’s behavior, chose to ignore it, not wanting to make a scene.

As their meal neared its end, a noticeable shift occurred. When the check arrived, Troy’s usual carefree smile became strained. He asked the waitress, “You should let me pay with your card.” Lisa was taken aback. Although she was earning more due to her promotion and didn’t mind covering the bill, she had anticipated that Troy would want to treat her on this special night.

“Why can’t you use your own card?” Lisa asked, surprised by the frustration on Troy’s face. His response was sharp: “Obviously because you received the promotion and I don’t have enough cash for these opulent dinners, Lisa! Despite knowing it, you act as though you don’t.”

Confused, Lisa said, “I’ll just pay with my card. It’s not a big deal.” Halfway through the meal, Troy switched from champagne to whiskey, his demeanor stiffening. “It’s embarrassing, Lisa,” he said. “It’s like you’re actually trying to humiliate me by not letting me be the man who pays.”

Lisa struggled to respond. Troy’s remarks left her feeling cornered and drained. Reluctantly, she handed over her card, not wanting to create a scene. Troy took the card with a sly smile and presented it to the waitress with a theatrical gesture. As she went to retrieve the card machine, Lisa excused herself to the restroom, needing a moment to gather her thoughts.

Upon checking her phone, Lisa quickly disabled her card. “Let’s see him pay now,” she thought. Returning to the table, she overheard Troy’s laughter and noticed him writing something on a napkin, likely his phone number, and flirting with the waitress. This sight wounded her deeply.

When the waitress returned, she informed Lisa that the card had been declined. Troy’s confident facade crumbled. “What?” he stammered. “Surely that can’t be right.” Lisa suggested he call the bank. He dialed the number and put the call on speaker. When asked for the card details and account password, Troy struggled and faltered.

The bank representative asked him to verify the last three transactions. “A new book, some skincare products, and a candle with a lavender aroma,” the representative confirmed. Troy’s face fell as he realized Lisa’s name was on the card. Lisa then took out a different card and paid the bill herself.

“I’m lucky to have two cards,” she told the waitress and Troy. “But babe, since you enjoyed the service, I think you can get the tip.” Troy fumbled through his wallet, pulling out only a few small bills and outdated coupons.

As Lisa prepared to leave, she waited for Troy to say something, but he remained silent. The waitress, with a small smile, reassured Lisa, “Hey, look, I didn’t take his number. I just threw the napkin away.”

Lisa decided to find her own way home, questioning whether she had made the right decision. Ultimately, she felt that no relationship should undermine her sense of self-worth or diminish her right to celebrate her achievements. It seemed she was finally ready to move on from Troy.