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658words2026-01-26 09:14

On Valentine’s Day,my boyfriend,Ethan Carter,set up a family credit card for me and persuaded me to quit my job and relax at home.
“Nursing is a tough job.I hate seeing you worn out,babe.Ley me take care of you.”
“The card’s limit is $500.Go ahead and enjoy yourself—eat, drink, have a good time.”

But right after I quit,when I tried to buy a $1 pudding, the card was blocked.
“You sure don’t think twice about spending my money,do you?”he snarled.
He even threatened,“Either come to my place to take care of my paralyzed dad,or we’re over.Let’s see how you'll manage on your own.”
Holding the will my lawyer had sent,I walked away without looking back.
Three days later,Ethan posted a selfie with a stylishly dressed woman outside a luxury condo.
Caption:“My girlfriend’s building is so impressive.”

That building actually belonged to my aunt, and she'd left it to me.
I got another patient complaint—this time, for supposedly waking someone up while changing their IV drip.
The head nurse,Diane Powell,made me apologize in front of the entire ward.
Feeling wronged,I called Ethan for comfort.

“How can they be so unreasonable?I can’t stand seeing you like this,babe,”he said.
“Quit your job already.I’ll support you—no more of this nonsense.”
He sounded completely sincere.
Then he added,“I’ve set up a family card with a $500 limit.Quit and enjoy yourself.Oh,and I’ve got a Valentine’s gift coming for you.”
A sweet female voice called him in the background—his company’s new intern.
He mumbled something about work and hung up.
During lunchtime,a courier delivered a huge bouquet of red roses and a life-sized teddy bear.
My hospital colleagues at the hospital were extremely envious.
“Jasmine,Ethan’s so good to you.Every holiday,he comes up with different gifts!”
“My boyfriend sends the same flowers every Valentine’s Day.So boring.”
“People say coders are dull,but Ethan really knows how to charm a girl.”
Their compliments made me feel good about myself.
Ethan and I had been together four years,and he always showed up for meimportant events—hospital functions, galas, you name it.
“He even said nursing’s too hough and wants me to quit so he can take care of me.”
Everyone in the room reacted with“oohs”and“ahs.”
Only Diane gave me a cold look.
“This is a top-tier hospital.People fight tooth and nail to get in.Think hard before you decide,Jasmine.”
Divorced and a workaholic,Diane had forced my apology that morning without even listening to my side.Annoyed,I ignored her advice.
To prove my point,I posted a video on TikTok about Ethan’s promise and his gifts.
Caption:“Quitting soon to get away from this grind.Boyfriend says I won't have to suffer anymore.”
I’d expected praise like from my colleagues’,but the comments were harsh.
“$500 to escape?You’re in for a much worse situation.”
“Stop promoting this trophy-wife nonsense.It’s so naive.”
“Someone needs to snap her out of it. It'd be doing her a favor.”
To respond,I create a photo collage of our love story and posted it.
A top comment claimed to know Ethan.
“His dad had a stroke and is stuck in a county hospital,neglected.”
Another asked if Ethan worked at TechTower,saying my gifts looked like discards from their dumpster.
“Could be a coincidence,but I’ve seen those exact items discarded there.”
I was shocked.Ethan did work at TechTower.
Diane saw my video and pulled me aside.
“Jasmine,this morning wasn’t personal.That patient’scondition is very fragile—it's best not to upset him.”
“I’ve been married and divorced.I know how men like Ethan think.He just wants a free maid to cook,clean,and care for his stroke-ridden dad.”
“Hiring a nurse to care for a paralyzed elderly person costs at least $8,000 a month.Even our hospital aides won’t work for less than$200 a day.Does he really think $500 makes you his servant? Is he serious?”
My mind spun.Her logic was airtight,but four years of love made it hard to believe Ethan was that guy.
She squeezed my hand.“If you don’t buy it,just pretend to quit.Use his card and see how he reacts.”