Chapter 3: Breaking Point

I was so angry I laughed.

A short, sharp laugh escaped me before I could stop it. I looked down at my crooked, bleeding nails and then back at Rachel, shaking my head in disbelief. She didn’t even flinch.

Who was wasting whose time here? I’d sat for two hours, my nails were crooked, my hand was cut, and the rhinestones were stuck on all wrong.

I glanced around at the silent onlookers, half-expecting one of them to say something. But they all just pretended to be busy, the way people do in line at the DMV when someone’s causing a scene.

She really thought I was a pushover.

I clenched my jaw, feeling that familiar, burning urge to fight back—the one I’d learned to trust after too many years of letting people walk over me. Not today.

Just as I was about to lose my temper, a familiar voice came from behind.

“Hailey, are your nails done? I came to pick you up for dinner.”

My boyfriend, Jason, always managed to sound casual, even when he was late. He strode in, backpack slung carelessly over his shoulder, looking around with a puzzled frown.

The comments were so thick they nearly blocked my vision.

“Ooh, the boyfriend is here!”

“The main girl’s savior has arrived…”

“Let’s see if the supporting character dares keep talking! Hurry up and give the money to the main girl, her time is precious. $400 is too little, honestly.”

Jason walked over and noticed the tense atmosphere.

He glanced from my stony face to the nail tech, picking up on the tension instantly. You could see his gears turning—classic Jason, always sizing up the odds before he spoke.

“Hailey, what’s going on?”

But Rachel spoke up first: “Sir, your girlfriend got her nails done at our shop and now wants to pay later. Her purse alone is worth almost two semesters of my tuition. Please, just settle the bill.”

She pouted and squeezed out a few tears.

She dabbed dramatically at the corners of her eyes with a tissue, making sure everyone could see. The performance was worthy of an Oscar—at least for a student short on rent.

The kind-hearted people around felt even more sorry for her. “Come on, girl, just pay up—she worked hard for it.”

A silver-haired woman in the next chair chimed in, shaking her head. “Back in my day, we tipped extra for hard work. Just pay, honey—it’s the right thing.”

Doing a good deed and being scammed are two different things.

I’m not short on money, but I’m not a fool. Getting ripped off and then feeling sorry for the scammer—what kind of logic is that?

Jason tried to persuade me. “Hailey, it’s getting late. Let’s just let it go.”

He reached for my elbow, his voice gentle but insistent, the way he always got when he wanted to avoid conflict. I pulled my arm away.

“Can I pay you later? She did work hard for two hours on the nails.”

He looked between us, trying to find the middle ground, even as Rachel sniffled louder.

“Everyone’s got it rough. Just let it go. As my grandma says, sometimes it’s a blessing to take a loss.”

I heard that old Midwest saying in my head, one my own grandma used when people tried to guilt-trip her. But I wasn’t buying it this time.

No need to look to know the comments were blowing up again.

All scolding me as the evil supporting character, all praising Jason for being gentle and kind.

But I was clearly standing up for myself—was that so wrong?

I looked at Jason, really looked, and wondered when standing up for myself became a character flaw.

Just because I’m not the so-called main character, do I have to swallow my losses quietly?

Rachel wiped her tears and continued, “Sir, you really understand how hard it is for us part-timers. My dad’s in the hospital and I’m working double shifts just to cover his meds. Please, can’t you help out?”

She slid a glossy card across the counter as if she were offering me an exclusive deal at Saks, not a scam in a strip mall salon.

“This is already a great deal—I’m giving you this discount on the sly while the boss isn’t here. Pay quickly! If the boss comes back, she definitely won’t agree.”

She handed me the Venmo code for the third time.

My patience finally snapped. I snorted and slapped the code away.

“I think you’re obsessed with money. Since we can’t talk this out, I’ll call the cops and let them decide whether I’m freeloading or you’re scamming.”

The room went quiet, the air thick with anticipation. My voice was steady—no more pretending to be polite.

Just as I was about to call, Jason grabbed my hand and whispered, “Hailey, is this really necessary? She’s just charging the listed price. I checked—the crystals are this price. You should pay.”

He squeezed my fingers, trying to reason with me. But I could see the unease in his eyes—a man caught between two sides, always looking for the path of least resistance.

As soon as I mentioned calling the cops, Rachel immediately lost her earlier bravado and looked at Jason with a pitiful, pleading look, hoping he’d help.

She switched gears faster than a TikTok trend, turning to Jason like he was her only hope, her lower lip trembling for effect.

“Sir, I’m really just a broke student working part-time. My dad is really sick and waiting in the hospital for money to save his life. Does your girlfriend really have to push me to the edge?” She even gently tugged at Jason’s sleeve.

The comments exploded again.

“Aww, the main character crying is so sad and cute, I love it.”

“God, if I were the boyfriend, I’d totally hug Rachel and spoil her.”

“The author always pairs everyone off, good or bad.”

Jason seemed convinced. He pulled my arm and said, righteously, “Hailey, if you won’t pay, then I will. But after this, we’re done. I don’t want a girlfriend like you.”

His words hit me like a punch. My chest tightened, old memories flashing—late-night calls when he needed me, those times I put him first, thinking he’d do the same. But now, I just felt empty, like the last piece of me he’d ever get.