Too Late For Tears, My Dearest Ex

aimed he was afraid I would spend recklessly, so to save for our future weddin

ough it took me three hours round-trip every day. When the brutal Chicago winter hit and temperatures plunged to ne

pauper, my best friend, Br

nding hundreds of dollars on luxury Thanksgiving gifts for Brande

Brandee appreciated the finer things

He just didn't want to spend his money or my money on me. Every rejected reques

resources, I decided it was time

pte

Delgad

n in sheets, turning the Chicago st

b. I hadn't brought an umbrella, so I called Julien while sta

shivering as the icy wind whipped past me. "Can I order an U

one. "Do you know what surge pricing looks like in this weather, Elyse? That's

freezing outside, and I

," he said coldly. "Put your hood up and stop b

before I co

tion to our condo building, my feet were completely nu

ontrollably as I rode the ele

my wet shoes. But as I looked down at the entryway s

ne dress shoes and sneakers. The other two and a half shelves were overflowing with

three modest pairs of work shoes, was shoved hapha

belonged

, when I bought this two-bedroom condo, Brandee claimed she was terrified of living alone in the city. Sh

she wanted a spacious, minimalist aesthetic and

my home into her p

om, turning it into her personal walk-in closet. Whenever she baked, her leftover cakes and bulky ingredients monopolized my Frenc

had been completely trashed

You're dri

n island, sipping a hot matcha latte, wearing

freshly baked croissant with a warm, doting sm

randee," I said, my

clutched her mug. "I just put them there because my hall

is shoe rack has six tiers. Julien takes up three, and you've taken the rest. In my own home, my on

"Look at how aggressive and narrow-minded you're being! Brandee is our guest and your best friend. You walk in

ulien's elbow, her eyes g

victim. "Elyse is right. I'm just a burden. I'll take my thing

. He gently patted her hand before turning to glare at me. "Girls love to dress up, Elyse. It's perfectly normal for her to have

hoe. "You had a bad commute, and now you're taking your mise

eyes, then at Brandee's subtle, triump

burden, but treated

argue. I

e suede boots and a pair of her glittering stilettos, walked over to

hell are you doin

nd dumping them outside. "Since she loves her shoes so much, she can store t

ward to grab my wrist, but I side-stepped him sh

, and see what ha

my voice. I had always been the obedient, frugal gi

nto the kitchen island next to Brandee's c

er. It was time to