I thought I’d finally found love when Patrick proposed to me after two years of dating. But little did I know, his proposal came with an ulterior motive. It wasn’t until he broke the one rule I’d set for him that I realized his true intentions.
Patrick and I had been together for two years, and I’d grown accustomed to his laid-back nature. He never seemed too eager to take our relationship to the next level, always saying we needed more time. But when I inherited a fully paid-off apartment from my aunt, everything changed.
Patrick’s sudden interest in marriage and moving in together raised my suspicions. He’d never been one to make grand gestures, but now he was proposing with a ring and talking about our future together. I played along, curious to see how far he’d take this charade.
As the days went by, Patrick’s behavior became more and more suspicious. He’d talk about the apartment, making plans for renovations and furniture. His mother even started dropping by, measuring the rooms and discussing decor. It was clear they’d been planning this for a while.
But I had one condition for Patrick: he was never to enter the apartment without me. It was a simple rule, one that would test his respect for me and my boundaries. And yet, he broke it the moment my back was turned.
I walked into the apartment to find Patrick and his mother measuring the living room. They’d been planning to move in without my knowledge or consent. That’s when I realized Patrick’s proposal had nothing to do with love or commitment. He wanted the apartment, and he was willing to do whatever it took to get it.
I called him out on his deceit, and the truth finally came to light. Patrick’s mother had been manipulating him all along, pushing him to propose and secure the apartment. Patrick, on the other hand, had been using me to get what he wanted.
The confrontation that followed was intense. Patrick’s mother tried to defend him, but I wasn’t having it. I’d had enough of their manipulation and deceit. In the end, I did what I had to do: I sold the apartment and left Patrick and his mother to deal with the consequences of their actions.
It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one. I’d rather be alone than settle for someone who only wanted me for what I had. I’m happier now, living in a new city, free from the toxic relationship that had been holding me back. I’ve learned that sometimes, the hardest decisions are the ones that set us free.
