She never did.
Twelve thousand dollars.
Gone.
And I let it go.
Not because I was okay with it.
Because I was tired.
Now she was doing it again.
And this time… I wasn’t going to let it slide.
When I stepped into the private room, she stood at the center of it all—perfect, polished, untouchable.
“Darling! Come, come. Meet everyone.”
“I didn’t realize you were hosting another event.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Just a small gathering.”
I looked around.
Nothing about it was small.
“This looks elaborate.”
“Well, I have standards.”
She leaned closer, lowering her voice just enough.
“It’s good for you. Visibility. I’m basically marketing your restaurant.”
Marketing.
That’s what she called it.
Using my business… without paying.
