He Fumbled a Lifetime

I couldn't breathe. I swung and slapped him—hard.

"Let go!"

He loosened his grip. I shoved him back with a kick.

"If you and Winnie are so in love, have her pay for it. What—your girlfriend wouldn't say no, right?"

Philip froze, eyes flicking past me.

Winnie rushed over, throwing herself in front of him.

When she saw his swollen cheek, she broke. "Stella! That's too far! How could you hit him?"

"Perfect timing. Your future mother-in-law has cancer and no money for treatment—and your boyfriend's out here asking me for cash. Shameless."

Winnie stared at Philip, stunned.

His face went pale.

So he never told her about Margaret.

***

Later, I heard Winnie did exactly what I did last time—handed Philip all her savings and took a summer job at a boba shop for him.

Philip looked down on it.

He wanted to use what he knew from his past life to land a job at a big company.

But he'd just graduated high school. Too young. No real company hires summer kids or part-timers.

After hitting wall after wall, he ended up delivering food.

One day, Molly and I spotted Winnie behind the counter at a mall boba shop.

She stood there in uniform, a long line in front of her, exhaustion all over her face.

When she saw us, she dropped her gaze and avoided us.

Looking at her felt like looking at my past self—working three jobs for Philip.

I didn't want her making the same mistake.

I stepped closer, voice low. "Is it worth it? Doing all this for a guy? If he really loved you, would he let you suffer like this?"

Winnie stared at me, shocked. Her lips parted, but I turned and walked off.

That was all I was saying. What she did next wasn't my problem.

That night, I cut through a dark corner of my apartment complex garden. A figure stepped out, grabbed my shoulders, and slammed me against the wall.

"Stella! What did you say to Winnie?!"

I jumped in fright.

"Did you make fun of her? Ever since she saw you, she's been ignoring me!"

I rolled my eyes. "Or maybe she thinks you're a burden and doesn't want to work herself to death for you."

Philip snapped, worked up. "No way! Winnie and I are in love! I gave up Crestport for her. She'd never do that! It's just one job. Last time, you worked three—I never heard you complain."