Chapter 3
Chapter 3
When the cops showed up, I fought to keep my cool and told them exactly what had happened to my place.
Then I laid out my demand.
“She broke into my home and trashed my stuff. I want her to pay me back, every damn penny.”
The officers glanced at Rachel and Peter like they’d just stumbled onto the wildest episode of Cops they’d
ever seen.
I mean-your boyfriend invites his ex over while you’re out of town, lets her use all your stuff like she owns he place? That’s enough to make anyone shake with rage.
was the victim here, and even the cops seemed to feel for me.
One of them told Rachel she should pay up.
Rachel? She just dropped to the floor like some bad reality show contestant, crying, screaming, yanking her >wn hair, smacking herself in the face.
She wailed, “You’re all ganging up on me! Bullying a vulnerable woman!”
None of you have a shred of compassion!”
Then she literally crawled to the cop, clung to his leg like a toddler, and sobbed, “Officer, I’m sick! Just arrest ne and put me down! I don’t even deserve to live!”
The young officer’s face went pale-rookie, obviously, probably thought he’d signed up to stop DUIs, not deal
with this circus.
When he froze, Rachel crawled over to me, kneeling at my feet, banging her forehead on the hardwood so
hard it made a thud.
Her porcelain skin swelled up instantly, and she looked up at me with watery eyes.
I know you hate me, Stella, but I can’t live without Peter.”
I’ve got anxiety, depression-please, I’m begging you, let me live.”
For a split second, she caught me off guard.
But no-mental illness doesn’t erase what she did. My boundaries matter too.
18:59
Walgreens Notified Me About His Plan B Purchase. So I Upgraded Him to Plan Bankruptcy
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Chapter 3
I turned to the rookie.
“This counts as interfering with an investigation, right?”
He nodded, and I was about to speak-
But Rachel beat me to it, crawling back to the cop: “I’m mentally ill!”
“Just kill me already! People like me don’t deserve to exist!”
Peter, who’d been silent this whole time, finally spoke up.
“I can vouch for her,” he said.
“We grew up together. She’s always had… issues.”
I crossed my arms and laughed bitterly.
“Oh, so she’s perfectly fine when she’s using my stuff and wearing my clothes, but the second she’s held
accountable-suddenly she’s too fragile to function?”
“Then why isn’t she in a psych ward?”
Peter pulled her up protectively.
“Those places aren’t as safe as being with family.”
“Stella, how could you be so cruel? I’m honestly disappointed in you.”
I stared at him, incredulous.
“Family? Are you her boyfriend or mine?
”
“Cause last I checked, she and I aren’t related, and I’m sure as hell not required to put up with her crap.”
Because Rachel’s “mental health” was now part of the equation, the cops said they couldn’t resolve it on the
spot.
I was livid.
Rachel, meanwhile, clung to Peter’s arm with a smug little smirk.
When the cops finally left, I pointed to the door.
“Out. This is my house.”
Chapter 3
Rachel looked at Peter with teary puppy-dog eyes.
“Peter… do I really have to go? I can’t live without you…”
Peter gave me that please don’t make me deal with this look.
I wasn’t having it.
“I’m not some saint here to save the world, Peter. She needs to leave.”
That’s when he raised his voice.
“Why should she? This is my home too, and I told her she could stay!”
I froze.
“Your home? Wanna say that again?”
I’d bought this place with my own money, outright.
Peter had begged to move in because his commute from the suburbs was too long.
I’d let him stay, but we’d been in separate rooms-I wasn’t about to rush things.
Thank God for that, because now the thought of touching him made me want to throw up.
Peter must’ve realized he’d overplayed his hand, because he switched to groveling.
‘Babe, don’t be mad. I was outta line. I’ll make her leave tonight. I promise.”
Oh, so now that his free ride was in jeopardy, he folded in under a minute.
Rachel agreed to go-but only after “packing” for one night.
I didn’t expect her last stunt.
18:59
Walgreens Notified Me About His ‘Plan B’ Purchase… So I Upgraded Him to Plan Bankruptcy
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