CHAPTER 5: THE BANK
The banker's name was Marcus, and he had a kind face and a firm handshake. He'd been managing my accounts for two years, and he'd tried three times to talk me out of the mortgage payments.
"You're making a smart decision," he said when I told him I'd canceled the autopay. "I've been worried about you for a while."
"Worried?"
"Rachel, your savings rate is excellent. Your investments are solid. But you've been hemorrhaging cash into a property you don't own. That's not just risky—it's unsustainable."
I nodded. "I know. I didn't want to see it."
"Can I ask what changed?"
I told him. About the dinner. About the spit. About the laughter.
Marcus's expression hardened. "They spit in your food?"
"Her son did. With her husband's encouragement."
"That's—that's not family. That's abuse."
I'd never thought of it that way. I'd always thought of it as just... how they were. How they'd always been.
"Listen, Rachel," Marcus said, leaning forward. "You have enough money to buy a small house outright. Or to buy a bigger one with a very manageable mortgage. You could move anywhere you want. Start fresh. Leave all of this behind."
"I don't want to move," I said. "I like my house."
"Then stay. But stop paying for them. Let them figure it out."
I thanked him and walked out of the bank feeling lighter than I had in years.
On my way home, I stopped at a coffee shop and sat in the window, watching people pass by. A couple walked hand in hand. A woman pushed a stroller, laughing at something her toddler said.
Everyone seemed to have something I didn't have.
A family that loved them.
A mother who called to check in, not to demand money.
A father who protected them instead of staying silent.
I wondered if I'd ever have any of that.
And then I wondered if I even wanted it anymore.
My phone buzzed in my purse.
I'd promised myself I wouldn't look at it. But I did.
It was Lauren.
You're making a huge mistake. Mom's blood pressure is through the roof. Dad looks terrible. I hope you're happy.
I typed back: I'm not happy. I'm just done.
She replied immediately: You're going to regret this.
May you like
I put my phone down and drank my coffee.
I wasn't going to regret anything.
