After getting her mother settled in the hospital, Ondine agonized for a while before finally sending Ellis a text.[Text me when you wake up. I need to talk to you.]It wasn't until two-thirty in the afternoon that he finally replied.[Babe, sorry, I was at a friend's birthday party last night. We went out for karaoke and it got pretty late. Everyone was there, so I couldn't just leave early.]Ondine's mind was consumed with finding money for her mother's treatment. Ellis's lies and games felt distant, almost numb. She stepped out of the hospital room and into the hallway to call him.His voice was low and husky with sleep when he answered. "Babe.....”Hearing him call her that used to make her heart flutter. Now, knowing the truth, it just filled her with disgust."Ellis," she said, her tone serious and detached."What's wrong, babe?" he purred, still trying to charm her. "Why aren't you calling me 'my love'? Are you mad that I got home late last night? I'm sorry. I promise it won't happen again. Don't be mad at me, okay?"Ondine took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "Ellis, can you lend me some money?"There was a pause on the other end. He clearly hadn't expected that. "Why are you suddenly asking for money?" he finally said. "You know I... my family's not well off. I don't really have any money..."A knot formed in Ondine's chest. "Ellis," she said, her voice strained, "my mom is sick and she needs money urgently. Can you please try to find a way to help me? I'll sign a loan agreement. I promise I'll pay you back."Silence again. He was thinking it over.She waited. Each second stretched into an eternity.Finally, Ellis spoke, and his words sent a chill down her spine."Babe, are you testing me? Trying to see if I really love you? If I had money I'd give you everything. wouldnt just lend it to you, ld giveyou every pennyhave. But I'mbroke right now." He added, his tone shifting to one of playful admonishment, "This isn't a funny joke, babe. If you want to test me, don't joke about our mom's health."Ondine closed her eyes as a single tear traced a path down her cheek. Even now, he was still playing poor. Still calling her mother “our mom” while refusing to even consider helping.Her hand holding the phone trembled. "Fine, Ellis. If you won't lend me any money, then just give me back what I've spent on you."In the past two years, she'd easily spent over four thousand dollars on him. She hated herself for being so blind, so stupidly in love. She had scrimped and saved, wearing the same winter coat for three years, but she'd bought him a new one that cost over a hundred dollars without a second thought because she was worried he'd be cold. noveldramaIt was pathetic.The moment he heard her ask for the money back, his voice turned incredulous. "What are you talking about, babe? You want me to pay you back? Why?"Ondine let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh. "Because suddenly, none of this feels worth it anymore." This text is hosted at find{n}ovel.net"Are you tired of me?" His voice sounded genuinely hurt."Yes."“Babe, did I do something wrong? Tell me, and I'll change," he pleaded, his voice dripping with false humility. "Don't leave me. I'll do anything you want. I can't live without you.""Really?" Ondine heard the sarcasm in her own voice. "Then give me a million dollars.""What?" He sounded like he couldn'tbelieve his ears. “A million? Babe✪ you know I don't have that kind of, money. You're just saying that because you're determined to break up with me, aren't you?"Her heart felt like a dead weight in her chest. "Ellis," she asked, her voice flat, "isthis fun for you?"