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637words2026-01-26 09:15

After my boyfriend went bankrupt,he owed a mountain of debt.
To pay it off,we both moonlighted after work every day.
One day,I got an urgent delivery order for documents.

When I arrived at the destination,a girl opened the door.
She turned and called out my boyfriend's name:"Daniel Pierce,your urgent files are here..."
I thought it was just a coincidence,the same name.
But then,his voice came from inside:"Good,tell the courier to grab a few more boxes of these..."
A second later,an empty box of condoms was tossed at the girl feet.
...

Daniel Pierce went bankrupt.
To help him clear his debts,I sold all the designer bags,clothes,and jewelry he'd given me during our relationship.
I even used my savings I'd built up over years to help him.
Still,we owed over$80,0000.

Now,after our day jobs,we work side hustles.
I as a delivery guy,he as a driver.
Today,I got an order to pick up documents from a company for a client.
The client was generous,offering a$1,000 tip.
The only catch:it had to be delivered fast.
When I got the order,I was at a food cart,waiting for the vendor to make my pancake.
I was starving,treating myself to a$1.2 pancake complete with sauce and fruit.
But seeing the client's note,I hopped on my electric scooter and sped toward the pickup.
While waiting for the secretary to bring the files downstairs,I texted Daniel the good news.
"Daniel,I just made over a grand today!"
"Didn't you say you wanted ribs?Buy sone and I’ll cook it tomorrow!"
The message went unanswered.
I knew he was probably driving.
To keep them safe,he doesn't reply while on the road.
He'll check his phone and respond when he's free,always giving me the emotional support I need.
It's become our unspoken routine.
I text him,he replies when he can,and we're in sync.
We've never complained about life's unfairness.
Even at our lowest,we'd hold hands,watch the sunrise through the window,and silently vow to earn enough to rise and shine like the sun.
The destination was far from the pickup sirfe,but the$1,000 tip made me glad I snagged the order.
When I arrived at the neighborhood,a security guard stopped me.
His booming voice:"No vehicles that don’t belong to the residents here are allowed in."
With the delivery timer ticking,I was frantic but caught his hint.
I parked my scooter on the street,clutched the files,and rushed into the neighborhood.
Jogging to the address,I arrived breathless.
A girl opened the door,wearing a white bathrobe,with a towel wrapped around her hair.
Wet strands were clung to her temples,and hickeys covered her neck,hinting at what had just happened inside.
She leaned against the doorframe,arms crossed,I could smell the scent of gardenias perfume on her.
Annoyed at the interruption,she snapped,"You?What's this about?"
I handed her the files."Your delivery."
She took them,puzzled,then glanced at the contents and nodded knowingly.
"These are my boyfriend's files..."
I opened my delivery app,clicked “order complete”,and turned to leave.
But she called into the house,"Daniel Pierce,your urgent files are here..."
A voice replied quickly,"Bring them in,they're important.I need them for a meeting later...I'm just gonna grab a shower first."
That voice had me froze in place.
It was too familiar—familiar enough that I could picture his expression as he spoke.
Before I could react,a box was tossed from inside,landing at her feet.
Daniel's voice again:"Oh,and have the delivery grab a few more boxes of these for us..."
The empty box rolled a few times before it stopped at the girl’s deet.
She picked it up and threw it at me.
"Please go buy a few more of these.We're in a rush..."
"I'm allergic to silicone oil,so get the hyaluronic acid ones."
"I'll give you another $2,000 tip when you're back."
I looked down at the box,the bold letters screaming at me.
My throat tightened,my breath caught,as if someone were choking me.