Angela (29) shared her troubling experience with a former roommate, Maya (28), who lost her job and depended entirely on Angela to cover her share of the rent. Out of kindness, Angela agreed to pay Maya’s rent while Maya searched for work, trusting her promises of job hunting. However, months passed, and Maya never signed the lease or contributed financially; the apartment lease was solely under Angela’s name.
As Angela’s own finances became tight, she decided to move out to a smaller, more affordable apartment. Maya did not argue but later exploded in anger publicly at Angela’s workplace, blaming her for getting kicked out and ruining her life. The harsh truth was that because Maya was not on the lease, when Angela moved out, the landlord reclaimed the apartment, leaving Maya homeless.
Maya spun a story among their mutual friends portraying Angela as heartless and abandoning her “in her darkest hour.” Yet only one friend bothered to get Angela’s side, and when presented with the lease documents and receipts, the truth became clear—Maya had taken advantage of Angela’s generosity.
Angela is left feeling betrayed and used despite her initial good intentions. The story highlights the risks of helping others without boundaries and the painful consequences when kindness is manipulated into blame and entitlement. It’s a powerful lesson about self-protection, trust, and the complexity of human relationships.
