Eventually, he recommended cosmetic consultations, repeatedly promising she’d feel happier afterward whenever she hesitated.
One message read, “I just want us to be able to go places without all the drama.”
Emily studied it.
“He said he was protecting me.”
Then she broke down.
He’d contributed to the insecurity he claimed surgery would resolve.
Another question occurred to me.
“Did Ryan know you were using your college savings?”
“Yes.”
“Did he ever suggest waiting until you could afford it?”
Emily opened another conversation.
Weeks before surgery, she’d written:
“Maybe I should wait another year. I don’t want to mess up college.”
Ryan replied, “You’ve waited long enough. We can’t keep putting our lives on hold because of this.”
She reread his response.
“He knew I was scared about the money.”
Another exchange emerged.
Two weeks before paying her deposit, she’d questioned why Ryan no longer invited her to gatherings.
