Chloe, a 25-year-old freelance graphic designer living in her late mother’s cozy South Carolina home, believed she had her life on track. Her boyfriend, Jake, had moved in two years prior, and their relationship seemed idyllic – filled with shared dinners, movie nights, and talks of a future together. However, the reality was far from perfect. Jake had been unemployed for eight months, having quit his marketing job due to a “demanding boss,” and was comfortably living off his savings and Chloe’s income. While he spent his days gaming or researching cryptocurrency, Chloe bore the brunt of household expenses, from groceries to utilities. She rationalized it as temporary, believing that love meant supporting each other through tough times, and that Jake just needed time to find his “passion.”
One evening, Jake unexpectedly proposed, promising Chloe the “most beautiful ring” and the “wedding of your dreams” once he got back on his feet. Despite the unconventional proposal, Chloe, deeply in love, eagerly accepted, believing in his sincerity. A few weeks later, Chloe’s practical, no-nonsense mother, Denise, visited from Alaska. Jake confided in Denise, expressing feelings of failure for not being able to afford an engagement ring or a proper wedding. Denise, who had moved to rural Alaska for healing and adventure after her husband’s death, listened attentively. She then presented an intriguing proposition: move to Alaska for two years. She explained that living rent-free with her, working the lucrative fishing season, and taking on winter jobs could allow them to save at least $50,000 each. Jake, initially skeptical, was swayed by the promise of financial security for their future, including a wedding and a house down payment. Chloe, who had previously loved working in Alaska, was ecstatic and agreed immediately. They set a moving date for three months later, with Chloe envisioning their exciting new chapter and Jake seemingly relieved to have a plan that didn’t require immediate action from him. Chloe, however, was too caught up in her dreams to notice the subtle differences in their excitement or the red flags waving before her.
Two days before their departure, Chloe’s friends, Sarah and Jessica, insisted on a goodbye weekend trip to Charleston. Chloe was hesitant to leave Jake with the last-minute moving details, but he insisted she go, assuring her he had everything under control. The trip was a welcome distraction, filled with spa dates, fancy dinners, and much-needed girl talk. Chloe decided to return earlier than planned to spend their final night together. As her Uber pulled up to the house, something felt off. The front door was ajar, and a strange car was parked in the driveway. Chloe’s heart sank as she entered, finding the living room completely empty except for a few dust bunnies. Her clothes were gone from the closet, and the only items left were a half-packed box of her childhood photos and a note from Jake.
The note coldly stated that he couldn’t “do this anymore” and had moved out, taking his belongings and leaving Chloe with the house. Devastated and confused, Chloe called her older brother, Brandon, who lived nearby. Brandon and his friend, Leo, rushed over and quickly discovered the horrifying truth: not only had Jake moved out, but he had also moved in his new girlfriend, Maddie, into Chloe’s mother’s house. Jake, it turned out, had used Chloe’s name to secure the free accommodation in Alaska, planning to live there with Maddie while Chloe was left with nothing. He had abandoned Chloe, intending for her to deal with the empty house and all their shared responsibilities.
Brandon and Leo immediately devised a plan to evict Jake and Maddie. A week later, Brandon sent Chloe a picture of Jake and Maddie loading a U-Haul under their watchful eyes. The locks were changed, and Chloe’s house was hers again. Chloe chose not to inquire about Jake or Maddie, focusing on healing and rebuilding her life in Alaska with her mother. Months passed as she worked, learned to fish and hunt, and made new friends. Eventually, she met Nate, a kind, thoughtful man from Oregon who was also working on the fishing boats to save money. Nate was everything Jake wasn’t: hardworking, driven, and treated Chloe as an equal partner. Two years later, they bought a house together near the mountains, a tangible symbol of a future built on mutual respect and genuine love. Every time Chloe sees the screenshot of their final payment, she remembers Jake sitting on that couch, proclaiming he wasn’t “built for…” and understands the ultimate justice of her journey.