George yanked the blanket off Emily and barked, “Up!” Emily shielded herself with her arms and blinked in confusion

“No. I don’t love you anymore, and I won’t live in this boot camp. I get it’s normal for you—you grew up this way—but it’s unhealthy. I’m leaving now.”

As she spoke, Emily tossed belongings into bags. Matt realized she meant it.

“Where’ll you go, the streets?” he snapped.

“First a hostel, then I’ll rent a place. I got promoted; I can afford it, even without you.”

George poked his head in. “Enough chatting; you’ve said hello. Matt, wash the car. Emily, help Linda in the kitchen.”

“Nope,” Emily said with relish. “I’m divorcing Matt, so you’re nothing to me now. And you know, that’s the best part.”

A year later, Emily spotted Matt on the street, not alone but with a woman, her wedding ring suggesting she was his new wife.

“No makeup, skirt ironed, shoes spotless, eyes downcast,” Emily noted. “Been there, done that.”

Matt saw her but didn’t recognize her at first—Emily had changed her style and hair for her new role. Her boss had moved up, and Emily took her spot.

When Matt realized who she was, his eyes widened, then he panicked, seeing his ex approach.

Emily wasn’t after Matt but his wife. As she passed, she said, “Listen, run from that boot camp! You’re worth more.”

“Who are you, what’s that mean?” the woman stammered.

“Don’t mind her, she’s crazy,” Matt soothed.

From the woman’s eyes, Emily saw she understood and was thinking hard.

“How many naive girls will come after me and her?” Emily wondered. “Yeah, Matt, you won’t find happiness with your dad around. Not everyone’s built for a barracks.”