**Strong and Independent**
Back in her university days, Emily spent hours online absorbing advice from self-proclaimed life coaches and amateur psychologists about becoming a strong, independent woman who needed nothing from men. She took it to heart and moulded herself into exactly that.
Then she met James, who admired her so-called “strength and independence.” On their very first date, he suggested splitting the bill. Oh, how proud Emily feltproof she didnt rely on a man.
Soon, they moved in together. Rent was split down the middle, grocery money pooled into a shared jar. If one bought a treatsay, a cakethe other had to chip in. More than once, James would bring home a dessert, and if Emily couldnt afford her half, she either went without or owed him. When she bought one herself, he insisted on paying his share, no matter how often she brushed it off as a gift. Money never seemed tight for himunlike for her.
James loved lecturing Emily on her spending. *”Why take the bus two stops when you can walk? Why buy fancy sausages when cheap ones taste the same?”* If they drove somewhere, she covered half the petrol. Everything was talliedlaundry loads, shower time, electricity usage.
When Emily fell ill, she had to take sick leave, buy medicine, and stick to a special diet. Her savings drained. By next month, she was borrowing from James just to cover rent and food.
Thats when it hit her: she wasnt “strong and independent”he was just tight-fisted.
Their relationship crumbled. While flat-hunting, she met an estate agent named Oliver. He found her a decent place at a fair price, then started courting her properly. He covered the moving costs and refused repayment.
On their first date, Emily tried splitting the bill. Oliver tapped his temple, grinning. *”Madness,”* he called it when she offered petrol money after he drove her home.
At first, she felt uneasy. *She wasnt supposed to depend on a man.* To compensate, she hosted a housewarming dinner for him. He arrived with flowers, and her first thought was, *”How much do I owe for these?”* Then she caught herself.
From then on, romance bloomed. With Oliver, Emily didnt ration pennies till payday or panic over rent. She could fall ill without fearing hunger.
Now, shes married to Oliver. Shes “weak and dependent”and its absolutely wonderful.
