The situation grew even more disturbing as Margaret began questioning her daughter about the household chores. She forced Vanessa to admit that Ethan also handled most of the cleaning, laundry, and dishwashing. I asked my son why he simply did not refuse to participate in this incredibly unfair financial arrangement. His pale face and shaking hands revealed a much darker truth. Ethan confessed that he had tried to end the billing system three weeks earlier. He had even suggested living separately, but Vanessa had responded with vicious threats. She had promised to spread malicious rumors to their mutual friends and to his coworkers at his office. She specifically planned to claim that he treated her like a maid and forced her to do all the housework. I realized with a heavy heart that Vanessa had already started planting these false stories. Ethan mentioned a coworker named Ben had recently questioned him about his treatment of her. My son had been paying these ridiculous meal fees out of pure fear. He was terrified that nobody would believe his side of the story if he tried to end the relationship
