LOVE IN EVERY WORD

CHAPTER 2

At home

Andressa stepped through her front door, the cool evening air clinging to her skin as she juggled her leather tote and phone. The scent of takeout Thai lingered faintly from the kitchen—pad thai, half-eaten and forgotten on the counter. Her boss’s voice droned through the speaker.

“What was that color palette you sent Sarah? That’s not what I asked for. It doesn’t even align with the client’s brand. Get it fixed ASAP.”

She ended the call with a sharp tap, the screen’s glow fading as she turned to Davis. He paced the living room like a caged tiger, his sneakers squeaking softly against the hardwood floor. The lamp cast long shadows, highlighting the tension in his jaw.

“What’s up? Why are you pacing?”

Davis halted, his eyes finally meeting hers—wide, evasive. “I made a terrible mistake, babe. I screwed up.”

Her heart plummeted, a cold dread pooling in her stomach like ice water. Oh God, please don’t let it be what I’m thinking. Please.

“What happened, Davis? Tell me before I lose my mind. Talk!”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle, okay? I just… I messed up this time.”

“If it’s nothing, why were you pacing like an anxious animal?” The realization hit her like a slap. “Hold on. Don’t tell me it has to do with the five thousand I gave you for that online project. Please tell me it isn’t.”

His flinch confirmed it, the hammer striking the nail dead-on. Her pulse thundered in her ears, the room suddenly too warm, too small.

“What the f**k did you do, Davis? Tell me right now. What happened to the five thousand? What did you do?!”

“Babe, I swear it wasn’t my intention. I can handle it—I just need time and a little help. Please, calm down. You’re panicking.”

“Don’t you dare tell me to calm down.” Her voice rose, sharp as broken glass. “I asked you a question. What happened to the money? On second thought—how much is left? How much?”

“Uh… we have just three hundred fifty dollars left,” he stammered, avoiding her gaze.

“Oh goodness. Oh God. Why me? Why?” She sank onto the couch, the cushions sighing under her weight. Exhaustion washed over her like a wave, sapping her will to yell. “You mean you burned through seven thousand in total? My five and the two you scraped together for that ‘investment’? This can’t be happening.”

Davis crouched to her eye level, his hand warm on her knee through her slacks—too warm, too presumptuous. The faint musk of his sweat mixed with his fading aftershave turned her stomach. “Babe, you know I wouldn’t do this to you. To us. I was trying to recover some losses, but I kept… losing more. These things happen in online investments. I’ll sort it out. Trust me.”

“Trust you? You’re joking.” Disbelief twisted her features, a weak laugh bubbling up like bile. After everything? “You’re going to fix this? How?”

With a heavy sigh, her shoulders sagged further. “The only thing I want to know is your plan. What’s next, Davis? How are you getting it back? If I’d used that money to restock my scented candles, I’d have profits by now. But no—you blew it all. You’re selfish. That’s what you are.”

“Babe, it’s not—”

“Don’t. Just answer. How are you getting it back?”

“Okay, listen. I can recover it. This is just a hiccup. I’ll need maybe another two thousand. My friend showed me this strategy—it could turn things around big time. What’s left isn’t enough. Just two thousand. That’s all.”

Her face shifted from shock to disbelief, settling on raw anger. Heat flushed her cheeks, her fists clenching until her nails bit into her palms.

“Hell will freeze over first. Read my lips: I. Am. Not. Giving. You. s**t. You’re never getting another dime from me. Understand? Nothing.”

“Come on, Andressa. Don’t be like this. You know I love you. I want to give you the best. Have faith in me. I won’t disappoint this time. I swear.”

“Faith?” She scoffed, the sound bitter in her throat. “All I’ve done for two years is pour my faith, my trust—everything—into you. Funding your dead-end ideas, taking out loans to chase your dreams. What have I gotten? Debts I’ve had to pay off. All because of you.” Tears stung her eyes, hot and unbidden, tracing salty paths down her cheeks. The ache in her chest was a knife, twisting with every breath.

Davis’s pride cracked; he shot to his feet, nearly knocking her back. His voice thundered, laced with fury. “Oh please. So what? You helped me—and? I never asked. You did it all on your own. I didn’t force you. Why get upset now?” He sighed, crouching again, but she recoiled from his touch.

“Look, babe. All I’m asking for is two thousand. We both know you have it, so being stingy—”

The slap connected with a c***k, her palm stinging as his cheek reddened. Disgust and rage contorted her face. Two years wasted on this parasite.

“You’re never getting a penny from me again. Understand? Right now, I want everything I’ve bought you back. Since my efforts meant nothing to you. Strip—the shirt, bracelet, chain, shoes, even your f*****g briefs. I paid for them. Take them off and get out of my house. My life. We’re done.”

“You can’t be serious.” He stared, incredulous, his mouth agape.

She shoved him aside and stood, towering over him with set shoulders and a clenched jaw. Determination burned in her eyes like fire. “Dead serious. If you don’t comply, I’ll call the police—and that won’t end well for you. Now strip!”

“But babe—”

“Now, you bloody bastard!”

Davis stripped, the clothes pooling at his feet like discarded regrets. She allowed him the undershirt and briefs—bare mercy.

“Now get out. I never want to see you again. Out!”

She pushed him toward the door, the wood cool under her hands as it slammed shut. His muffled shouts echoed from the hall.

“Babe! Baby! f*****g hell! You’ll regret this, Andressa. How could you do this? Fuuuuck! I can’t go home like this—I’ve got no money. Come on, you b***h, help me!”

She stood frozen, listening until his voice faded into silence. Until he was gone. Finally

---

She brushed off the evening’s chaos, the metallic tang of adrenaline still on her tongue as she slipped into soft pajamas. The bed’s cool sheets whispered against her skin as she settled in, dialing her best friends. Ann and Ify’s faces lit up the video call, their voices a balm over the speaker.

She spilled the story, every ugly detail. Ann jumped in first. “Good riddance to that bloodsucking leech. I never liked him, Andressa. You deserve better, babes.”

“It’s the audacity—calling you stingy? Wow. Just wow.” Ify shook her head, her earrings catching the light.

“It was him calling me a b***h that kills me. Me! After everything I wasted on that imbecile.” Andressa’s voice cracked, regret gnawing at her insides like acid. If only I’d restocked those candles instead. “I regret it so much now.”

“You’re right. You could’ve snagged that shop by the square for your physical store,” Ify said.

Andressa whined, the sound pitiful even to her ears. “I know! I pass those beautiful spots every day. So close, but always out of reach. Now I wish I’d at least made the down payment.”

“Not to worry, babes. I’ll sue his ass and make him cough up every penny. He won’t get away with this—I’m not your lawyer for nothing.” Ann’s tone sharpened, already plotting.

“But honest question, Andressa—why stay with him for two years?” Ify leaned in, curious.

Before Andressa could respond, Ann chuckled. “He was her type, Ify. Athletic, ambitious, smoking hot, fluent English.” Laughter bubbled up, lightening the mood.

“Okay, okay, I get it. But seriously, girls—I’m done. Done with the drama, the dating, men in general.”

Her phone pinged—a text from her boss. What now? I already sent the revisions.

Boss: Mark needs help with Monday’s presentation. You’ll assist. Be on standby. He’s in charge.

Andressa groaned, the sound vibrating in her throat. “Ugh, this woman and her boyfriend should leave me alone. I’m only useful for cleaning up his messes. Lead executive, my ass.”

Ann perked up, gossip mode activated. “Same Mark? The one banging your boss? Still going?”

“Ann, can you not? Let the world hear,” Ify teased, shutting it down.

“I never told you guys anything—you didn’t hear it from me. And as for helping Mark? He can wait. This girl’s on leave till Monday. He’ll manage.”

“Speaking of leave, I can’t drop you at the airport Friday—court at eight. But I’ll pick you up Sunday,” Ann said.

“It’s alright, love. I’ll be fine.”

Ify and Ann signed off for other plans, their voices warm. “Good night, darling. We love you.”

“Love you too. Bye.”

Andressa sank deeper into the pillows, the fabric soft and cool against her cheek. Exhaustion pulled her under like a tide, lights out as soon as her eyes closed.