When Matt offered to pay our rent, I thought it was an act of love. He promised to take care of us, but it quickly became clear that his generosity was actually control. Moving in together felt like a step toward building a life, but I was concerned about not being able to split the rent. Matt reassured me, saying he’d cover it so I could focus on my job at the shelter. However,

once we moved in, the situation shifted. Matt took control of the space—his things filled the apartment, while my belongings were shoved into a closet. He told me I needed to start cooking,as a “thanks” for him covering rent. It was clear now: his paying for everything meant he made the rules. Instead of confronting him directly,