At first, Selena thought it was a budgeting habit, something temporary or even humorous. But days turned into months, and months into five long years. While others around her enjoyed comfortable lives, she tried to stretch that small bill into meals, errands, and dignity. She felt hidden away, as though she lived behind an invisible curtain.
As her friends thrived, she found herself quietly drifting from them, unable to explain why she had so little control over her own household. Resentment grew, followed soon by suspicion. She wondered if Ramon was keeping secrets. Perhaps another household. Or perhaps he simply did not trust her.
“Selena, trust me. Everything is under control.”
But nothing felt under control to her. She felt small, stifled, and alone.
Then one April morning, Ramon left the house unusually tense. They had agreed to talk that evening, to finally lay everything on the table. Selena had spent the whole night rehearsing what she needed to say.
But he never returned home.
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