Everyone I loved packed into Sean\u2019s and my apartment to celebrate my birthday. My sister had hung twinkle lights, and Mom made a chocolate cake so frosted it hurt my teeth just to look.<\/p>\n
Sean caught my eye and gave that slow, cocky wink that used to make me weak\u2014tonight it felt charged. He\u2019d been acting suspicious this week, slipping away when I asked about my party. I\u2019d convinced myself he was saving up for that baby\u2011blue dress I couldn\u2019t stop thinking about.<\/p>\n
When the door opened, I expected him\u2014or maybe a surprise. Instead, it was his mom, wearing my<\/em> dream dress. I froze. She had no idea how badly I\u2019d wanted it. \u201cSean gave it to me last week,\u201d she said, \u201cso I could wear it tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n My heart sank. Sean then handed me a $50 Sephora gift card. I love makeup, but it felt hollow. Confused and hurt, I retreated to a corner while the party carried on without me.<\/p>\n Later, at home, I confronted Sean. He shrugged: \u201cIt was a test\u2014to humble you.\u201d I packed my things and left for my sister\u2019s couch.<\/p>\n A week later, Linda called. Over coffee, she confessed Sean had twisted her arm by lying: he told her I<\/em> had asked her to wear the dress. I felt sick. Then she pulled the dress from her bag\u2014cleaned and pressed\u2014for me.<\/p>\n Tears welled. She said I deserved more than Sean\u2019s manipulation. I knew she was right. I refused to go back to him, but I wanted her in my life.<\/p>\n The dress was mine\u2014finally and rightfully.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"