You people always try to sneak in, don't you? Lauren Pierce didn't whisper it. She didn't flinch. Didn't even blink. Her voice sliced through the quiet of the first class cabin like it belonged there more than he did. She held Jordan Hayes's ticket between two fingers, like it was something foul, something beneath her. Then, without hesitation, she tore it straight down the middle. The sound was soft, but the message was loud. You're not welcome here. Before we dive into the story, where are you

We were both revenge spending. Doug and I both grew up feeling "constantly denied" because our parents couldn't afford things. Every time we asked for something as kids—a toy, a treat, new clothes, an experience—the answer was usually "no" or "we can't afford that." Not because our parents were mean. They just genuinely couldn't afford it. But as children, we didn't understand that. We just felt... denied. Controlled. Like we never got what we wanted. So as adults? We spent. On everything. To ma