Chapter 7 - MELISSA’S BUSINESS
Melissa described herself as a brand strategist.
That was technically true.
She managed social media campaigns for a handful of small wellness and lifestyle companies.
The business had once produced respectable income.
Recently, less.
Jason did not know how much less.
He deposited most of his salary into their joint account.
Melissa managed household spending because she claimed she had more time.
The invoice she gave Margaret was not entirely about entitlement.
She needed money.
Three credit cards were near their limits.
Her business had lost two clients.
She had committed to an expensive coaching program she had not told Jason about.
And three months earlier, she signed a lease on a small office suite because she believed working from a “real studio” would attract better clients.
It didn’t.
The family was not destitute.
Jason earned well.
But Melissa had begun moving money between accounts to preserve appearances.
Two thousand dollars from Margaret would cover the office rent and one overdue card.
The household contribution gave it a respectable label.
She expected Margaret to pay.
Why wouldn’t she?
Margaret had already paid for everything else.
What Melissa did not expect was an invoice coming back across the table.
May you like
Or workers outside.
Or Jason home early.
