When my boyfriend moved in, everything felt great, until he found out I owned the house. I didn’t think it would be a big deal, but his reaction led to a fight we didn’t expect.
I was eighteen when my dad gave me the keys to my own house. It was an old two-story building that had been in our family for years. This gift meant a lot to me. We weren’t wealthy, not at all.
Dad bought the house for a great price from his grandmother’s cousin, and I knew how lucky I was. Every time I walked through the front door, I felt thankful
The house had its quirks. Each floor was like its own apartment, with separate entrances, kitchens, and bathrooms. I lived upstairs and rented the downstairs to a nice woman named Maggie.
She paid $500 a month—less than most places, but I wasn’t in it for the money. The rent just covered basic costs. I handled everything myself, which gave me a little independence.
Three months ago, my boyfriend, Jason, moved in with me. We’d been together for six months, and it made sense. His lease was ending, and my place had the space. Plus, it felt good to be building a life together.
He was easygoing about most things, and we split groceries evenly, which worked for both of us. We never really talked about finances beyond daily expenses.
He didn’t ask about rent, and I didn’t mention that I owned the house. It wasn’t that I was hiding it; it just didn’t seem important.
One night, while we were watching TV, a news story came on about rising rent prices. Jason groaned and said, “Man, landlords are the worst. They only care about money. It’s like they don’t think about people who can’t afford a place to live.”
I stayed quiet, sipping my tea, unsure of what to say. I didn’t know how to explain that I was technically a landlord. But I wasn’t like the ones he was talking about. I charged fair rent and didn’t try to take advantage of my tenant.
Jason continued, shaking his head. “It’s just wrong, you know? People shouldn’t profit from something as basic as housing.”
I nodded, trying to change the subject as soon as I could. We spent the rest of the night like usual, but his words stuck with me. What would he think if he knew I was renting out part of the house? I didn’t want to make it awkward, so I kept it to myself.
A few days later, I was cleaning the kitchen when there was a knock at the door. I wiped my hands on a towel and opened it to see Maggie looking worried.
“Hey, Maggie, everything okay?” I asked.
She frowned. “My freezer stopped working. I tried everything, but it’s just dead.”
“Oh no,” I said, stepping outside. “Let me take a look.”
I followed her downstairs to her apartment. Sure enough, the freezer was warm, and nothing seemed to be working. I sighed, knowing it was probably time to replace it.
“I’ll pay for a new one,” I said. “Just send me the receipt, and I’ll reimburse you.”
Maggie smiled, relieved. “Thanks, I really appreciate it. I’ll go shopping for one tomorrow.”
“No problem,” I replied. “I’ll make sure you get the money back quickly.”
As I headed back upstairs, I realized Jason had probably heard the whole conversation. He was sitting on the couch when I walked in, looking a bit confused.
“Everything okay with Maggie?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I said casually, “her freezer broke, but I told her I’d cover it.”
Jason raised an eyebrow. “You’re paying for her freezer? Why would you do that?”
I paused, unsure of how to answer. “Well, the freezer was here when she moved in, so it’s kind of my responsibility.”
He frowned. “I don’t understand. Why is that your responsibility?”
I could feel the tension rising. “Because… it’s my house. I rent it to her.”
Jason stared at me, his expression changing as he processed what I just said.
“You own this place?” His voice was sharper, more surprised than I expected.
“Yeah,” I said slowly. “I thought you knew.”
“No, I didn’t know,” he replied, his tone turning colder. “You never told me.”
“Well, it never came up,” I explained. “It’s not like I was trying to hide it.”
Jason shook his head, standing up. “I just… I can’t believe this.”
He walked over to the window, looking out as if trying to make sense of everything.
I stayed quiet, not sure what to say next.
The days after Jason found out I owned the house were tense. It wasn’t like before, where we’d laugh together while cooking or enjoy lazy evenings watching TV. He was distant and quieter, and something felt off. I didn’t want to push him, so I gave him space, hoping things would return to normal. But that didn’t happen.
One evening, I was cleaning up the kitchen when Jason walked in. He leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching me.
“Still can’t believe you never told me,” he muttered, almost to himself.
I sighed, putting down the dish towel. “Jason, I wasn’t hiding it. It just didn’t seem important. You never asked.”
“Important?” He laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound. “You’re a landlord. That’s pretty important. Don’t you think I had a right to know?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but he cut me off.
“I thought we were on the same page. I thought we saw the world the same way, but now… now I don’t know. Landlords just… they take advantage of people.” His voice was tight, and he wouldn’t look at me.
“I’m not like that!” I said, stepping closer. “Maggie’s rent is fair, and I fix anything that breaks. I’m not some greedy landlord you see on TV.”
He shook his head. “But you’re still making money off someone else’s need for a home.”
I felt anger rising in my chest. “I don’t think you understand what I do. I’m not hurting anyone. I charge Maggie way less than the market rate. I take care of the place. I’m not some big landlord trying to exploit people.”
“But you still own it. And you still make money off her.”
“Yeah, to keep the house from falling apart! I’m not getting rich from this, Jason. You know that.”
He shook his head, standing up from the couch. “It’s all the same. It’s about power. You have something she needs, and you make her pay for it.”
The next morning, things came to a head. I was on the phone with Maggie, confirming she’d bought the new freezer and that I’d reimburse her. Jason walked in as I was finishing the call.
“So, you’re paying for that?” he asked, sarcasm thick in his voice.
“Yes,” I replied, keeping my tone steady. “The freezer was part of the apartment when she moved in. It’s my responsibility.”
He stared at me, frustration bubbling over. “Unbelievable.”
“Jason, I don’t know what you want from me,” I said, trying to stay calm. “What do you expect me to do?”
He folded his arms, his face hard. “I want you to stop being part of the problem. Either stop charging rent or give me half of what you’re making. If you’re gonna be a landlord, at least share the profits.”
I stared at him, stunned. “Share the profits? Jason, I’m not running a business here. The rent barely covers costs.”
“I don’t care,” he snapped. “You’re either with me, or you’re not. If you’re gonna keep profiting off people like that, then I deserve my share, too.”
Something in me broke then. “I’m not giving you half of anything. I’ve worked hard to keep this house running. If you think I’m going to start handing over money just because you don’t like how I manage it, then you’re out of your mind.”
Before I could respond, he grabbed the keys from the coffee table and threw them across the room. They hit the wall with a sharp clatter, and the next thing I knew, he swung his fist, aiming for the wall. The impact wasn’t strong enough to punch through, but it echoed in the room, sending a tremor through me.
“Fine!” he shouted, stepping back. His face was red, and he was breathing heavily. “I’m done. I’m not staying here, not with you.”
My hand shook as I reached for my phone. “Jason, stop,” I said, my voice trembling. “Just calm down.”
But he was already moving toward the door. I quickly typed a text to my dad: Please come now.
Jason didn’t turn around as he stormed out, slamming the door behind him. The house felt silent, suddenly too big and too empty. I stood there, still shaking, listening to the sound of his footsteps disappearing down the driveway.
Within minutes, I heard my dad’s car pulling up. He didn’t ask questions when he saw me on the porch, arms wrapped around myself. He just pulled me into a hug, holding me tight as I tried to catch my breath.
“He’s gone,” I whispered, still stunned by how quickly it had all fallen apart.
The next morning, I woke up to the sound of quiet knocking on my door. I still felt numb from the night before, Jason’s angry words echoing in my mind. I dragged myself to the door and opened it to see Maggie standing there with a small basket of freshly baked muffins.
“Hey, I heard about what happened,” she said softly. “I’m really sorry.”
I managed a weak smile, surprised she knew so quickly. “Thanks, Maggie. I’m okay.”
She handed me the basket. “I just wanted to bring these up. It’s nothing special, but I thought you could use something sweet.”
I took the basket, feeling warmth I hadn’t felt since Jason left. “You didn’t have to do that.
Lonely Woman Hides Her Son During a Date to Avoid Scaring the Man Away, but Regrets It the End – Story of the Day
Single mother Riley was trying her best to find love, even though it was tough. As soon as her dates found out she had a son, the romance quickly faded away. Her desperation grew, and Riley felt she had no choice but to hide her son. However, she immediately regretted that decision.
Riley stood in front of her 8-year-old son, Roy, with a heavy heart, unsure if she was making the right choice. At 32, balancing life as a single mother and trying to find love felt like walking a tightrope.
Ever since her ex-boyfriend walked out on her as soon as he found out she was pregnant, Riley had been left to raise Roy on her own.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Over the years, she had embraced being a mom and built a world around her son, but deep down, there was still a longing—someone to share her life with, someone to love her as much as she loved Roy.
But finding that someone was harder than she ever imagined. Every time she met someone new, things seemed promising until they found out about Roy.
It was as if the mere mention of her child made them pull away. The disappointment stung every time, and Riley was growing tired of it.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Now, with this new date on the horizon with Mitchell, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was her last chance to see if there was hope.
Mitchell seemed different—kind, charming, and someone who could be the one. But she was afraid that if she introduced Roy too soon, she’d scare him off like the others.
“I don’t want to go to Kyle’s tonight,” Roy whined, clutching his favorite toy tightly in his arms.
His face was scrunched up in a pout, his big eyes pleading.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I want to stay here with you.”
Riley crouched down so that she was eye-level with her son, trying to push aside the guilt gnawing at her. She gently brushed a strand of hair off his forehead and forced a smile.
“Roy, it’s just for one night,” she said, trying to sound upbeat.
“You always have so much fun with Kyle. You two will stay up, watch movies, play games—it’ll be a blast. And I’ll pick you up first thing in the morning.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Roy’s expression softened slightly, but he still looked uncertain. “But what if I don’t want to sleep there?”
“You’ll be fine,” Riley reassured him. “It’s only for tonight, and tomorrow we’ll do something fun, okay?”
As much as she loved Roy, she needed this night to go well. She had arranged for him to have a sleepover at his friend Kyle’s house, something she rarely did. But tonight was different.
Tonight, she was going to see if there was a future with Mitchell, and to do that, she needed to focus on herself.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She didn’t want to have to worry about Roy or the complications that might arise from mentioning she had a child too soon.
The taxi arrived at the Kyles house, and with one final hug, Riley sent Roy inside.
She felt a pang in her heart as she watched him walk up the steps, his shoulders slightly slumped, but she quickly reminded herself that this was necessary.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She wasn’t doing this just for herself—if things went well with Mitchell, it could mean a better future for both of them.
As the taxi pulled away from Kyle’s house, Riley took a deep breath and tried to focus on the evening ahead.
She knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but she couldn’t help but hope that maybe, just maybe, this time would be different.
When Riley arrived at the restaurant, she spotted Mitchell waiting at a small table near the window. He looked sharp in a clean-cut suit, his hair neatly combed, and when he saw her approaching, his face lit up with a warm smile.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Riley’s nerves immediately kicked in, but she had put effort into her appearance tonight—her favorite dress, just enough makeup to feel confident, and a pair of heels that made her feel taller.
She wanted to feel good about herself, especially since she was hoping this date could be something more than just casual.
They exchanged a few pleasantries as they sat down, but there was an awkward tension in the air.
Neither of them seemed to know what to say to get the conversation going. Riley’s mind raced as she tried to think of a topic to break the ice, but Mitchell beat her to it.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“So, do you think the menu is a bit too… fancy?” Mitchell asked, a playful smile on his face. “I mean, I’ve never seen so many different kinds of salad in my life.”
Riley couldn’t help but laugh. The tension broke, and the joke made her feel more at ease.
“I know, right? Who knew you could have six varieties of lettuce?” she joked back.
With that, the conversation flowed more easily. They started talking about their favorite foods, funny stories from their jobs, and some light-hearted moments from their past.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Riley found herself laughing more than she had in months, and for a while, she felt like she could enjoy the evening without overthinking everything.
But as they finished dinner and stepped outside for a walk, that nagging thought crept back into her mind. She still hadn’t told him about Roy.
The guilt weighed on her. She liked Mitchell, and they were getting along so well, but would that change if he knew she was a single mother?
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Taking a deep breath, Riley decided to test the waters.
“Mitchell, what do you think about kids?” she asked, trying to sound casual but feeling her heart race as she waited for his answer.
Mitchell’s expression shifted slightly. He hesitated for a second and then quickly changed the subject.
Riley’s heart sank. His avoidance was clear, and it made her even more anxious about telling him the truth.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She didn’t want to lose this connection, but hiding such a big part of her life felt wrong.
Before she could figure out what to say next, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Startled, she quickly excused herself and answered. It was Kyle.
“Kyle? Is everything okay?” she asked, trying to hide her rising worry.
Kyle’s voice was shaky. “Roy fell really bad, and he won’t stop crying. You need to come get him.”
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Riley’s heart leaped into her throat. Her son needed her, and there was no question in her mind about what she had to do next.
Riley took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she turned to Mitchell. She knew she couldn’t avoid the truth any longer.
“Mitchell, I need to tell you something,” she said, her voice slightly trembling.
Mitchell looked at her with genuine concern in his eyes. “What is it?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I have an 8-year-old son, Roy,” Riley admitted, the weight of the words hanging in the air. “I didn’t tell you earlier because… I was afraid it would scare you away.”
She paused, gauging his reaction. His face showed a hint of surprise, but he remained silent, letting her continue.
“I left him at his friend’s house tonight so we could have some space, but he just got hurt, and I need to go get him. I’m so sorry. I lied, and I shouldn’t have done that.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mitchell stared at her for a few moments, and Riley braced herself for the worst. But then, he smiled softly, the corners of his eyes crinkling in a way that reassured her.
“Riley, it’s okay,” he said gently. “I understand. And honestly, I’ve been hiding something too.”
Riley blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean?”
Mitchell let out a small sigh, running a hand through his hair.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I have a daughter. She’s twelve. I didn’t mention her because I was afraid of how you’d react too.”
Riley’s heart lifted with relief. “You do?” she asked, her voice softening with surprise. She hadn’t expected this.
Mitchell nodded.
“Yeah, and I get it, Riley. Being a parent is tough. You’re constantly juggling everything, trying to make sure your kid is okay while also trying to live your own life. Dating is even harder when you’re trying to balance it all.” He smiled warmly at her.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Why don’t I come with you? We can go get Roy together. I’d like to meet him.”
Riley’s eyes welled up with gratitude, a mixture of relief and joy washing over her.
She had been so scared of telling him, of being judged, but here he was, offering to help.
“You’d do that?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mitchell smiled again, his expression calm and reassuring. “Of course. I know how important he is to you. Let’s go make sure he’s okay.”
Riley couldn’t believe how everything had turned out. She smiled back at Mitchell, feeling a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in a long time. Together, they headed to the car, ready to get Roy.
Mitchell drove Riley to Kyle’s house, his hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than usual. Riley sat beside him, her mind racing with worry about Roy.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
They barely exchanged words, but Mitchell’s presence was comforting. As soon as they arrived, they both hurried to the front door, their nerves apparent in their quick steps.
Kyle’s mother greeted them with a calm expression, clearly puzzled by their urgency. “Is everything alright?” she asked, looking from Riley to Mitchell.
“Kyle called and said Roy was hurt,” Riley explained, her voice trembling with concern.
Kyle’s mother’s brow furrowed in confusion, but she remained calm.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, I’m sure he’s fine. The boys are just upstairs, playing video games. Come on, I’ll show you.”
Riley and Mitchell followed her upstairs, hearts pounding, though the woman’s calm demeanor reassured them slightly.
When they reached Kyle’s room, Riley pushed the door open carefully, bracing herself. There, sitting on the floor, were Roy and Kyle, engrossed in their game, completely unharmed.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Relief washed over Riley as she knelt in front of Roy, her voice soft but full of concern. “Roy, what happened? Kyle said you were hurt.”
Roy blushed deeply, fiddling with the controller in his hands. “I… I just missed you, Mom. I wanted you to come back.”
Riley’s heart melted. She pulled Roy into a tight hug, tears welling up in her eyes. “Oh, Roy. You don’t have to make up stories to see me. I’ll always come back for you, no matter what.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Behind her, Mitchell chuckled softly, the tension in the air dissolving. “Well, looks like the crisis has been averted,” he said with a grin.
As they drove home, Riley couldn’t help but laugh at how the night had turned out. All the stress and fear had vanished, replaced by the warmth of the moment.
She glanced at Roy, who was happily chatting away in the back seat, and then over at Mitchell, who smiled at her.
“How about our next date?” Mitchell asked, his eyes twinkling. “We bring the kids.”
Riley smiled back, her heart light. “I’d like that.”
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