“I can support myself. Why would I need to depend on a man?” Bianca responded, her voice calm and steady. Then, holding Dave’s arm, she said, “Let’s go.”

“Leaving already? Why did you even come to the shop if you don’t have any money?” Carla’s loud laugh filled the shop, and even the store assistant gave Bianca a disapproving look in secret.

Bianca clenched her teeth, but she didn’t want to argue with someone as unreasonable as Carla. She turned to leave, ...