“When you lost your apartment, I gave you my couch. When you needed groceries, I brought them. I didn’t do those things to make you feel small.”
“I never said you did.”
“You just told an entire table that you wanted to humiliate me.”
She dropped her eyes.
“I helped because I love you,” I said. “Not because I owe you unlimited money.”
For the first time, Vanessa had no answer.
Daniel approached to discuss payment discreetly.
He explained that the restaurant expected the bill to be settled that night.
He added that he could process multiple cards if guests volunteered to pay their portions.
Vanessa had made the reservation and would remain responsible for any unpaid balance.
Several friends immediately offered to pay for their own meals.
Rachel did too.
Vanessa protested. “No, you were my guests.”
Chris shook his head.
“You invited us under false pretenses. We’re trying to help settle this, not agree with what you did.”
