The next week, I took the agreement to a lawyer. He sighed. “Too informal,” he said.
I could have fought it, but I was done chasing.
I cut ties—deleted their numbers, muted their accounts, and told my parents I needed distance. Their silence told me they’d expected this.
Months later, I ran into Julia, a mutual friend. She shared the news: the IRS had caught Rick hiding side income. Big fines. Lisa lost her job. They lost their house.
Karma.
Weeks after that, Lisa called.
“Ivy… they’re taking everything. Can you help me? Just a little?”
“You still owe me $25,000,” I said.
“But I have nothing,” she whispered.
“I know,” I replied. “That’s how I felt for three years.”
I hung up—not with revenge, but with peace.
Since then, I’ve rebuilt. I moved into floral design for weddings and events, teaching workshops that empower others to create beauty on a budget. My savings are healthy again. I still believe in generosity—just with boundaries.
