Throwaway account

At the beginning of 2025, I lost my job and found myself in a tough financial situation. During this time, an old friend moved back to town. We reconnected, and I shared everything that was happening in my life. After listening to me, she insisted on helping. I was hesitant because I didn't like mixing money with friendships, but she kept insisting. Eventually, I accepted a loan of $2100 from her, even though she said I didn't need to pay it back, which I didn’t agree with. I told her I would pay her back.

We started hanging out more, and since I was on a budget, I made sure not to spend too much during our outings, typically only ordering a coffee or a small sandwich while she ordered full meals. Her meals would usually cost $25-$30, so when we paid, she’d use her card, and I would send her my share afterward. However, her requests on Venmo became strange, if I had a coffee and she had a full meal, I expected to pay about $7 for my share, but she would request $30. She even started adding the cost of her personal cabs. I didn't like it, but I paid whatever she requested because I felt that I was living in her favor. I ended up spending around $400 in two months, which was hard on me financially.

Eventually, I stopped going out as often and suggested we meet for cheaper options like boba or ice cream so I wouldn’t overspend. Then, near the end of the second month, she told me her boyfriend was upset with her for helping me because he thought I was taking advantage of her. I offered to pay her back right away and reassured her I would pay back the full loan. But every time we met, she’d mention how her boyfriend feared I’d run off with her money.

Around the same time, I got a part-time job, but it barely covered my rent. This job was close to her house, so sometimes I would double shift, working six hours in total. She suggested I bring my laptop and apply for other jobs while I was in between shifts at her place ( I spent about 4 hours every week at her place). She even bought me a laptop bag as a gift, which I appreciated. She insisted I spend time with her boyfriend so he’d understand I wasn’t taking advantage of her. I agreed, but over time, she started asking me to help around the house, like doing dishes or vacuuming. What began as a one-time request turned into frequent tasks.

I never ate at her place because I had food at work, and I only drank water and washed my cup afterward. One time, she sent me a $40 request on Venmo, saying it was for groceries since I was “practically living with them.” I told her I hadn’t eaten anything at their place, but I paid it anyway since she didn’t cancel the request.

The next week, she said I hadn’t done the dishes, and her boyfriend was upset because he had to do them. I explained I must have forgotten, but it wasn’t my responsibility. She replied that I should be more grateful for all the help they’d given me. I told her I was grateful, but the loan was something I intended to pay back, and if my presence was causing issues, I could just meet her at a café. She got really upset, said I was causing tension in their relationship, and asked for some space. I left, but in a hurry, I left my iPad at her place. I didn’t contact her for it since I didn’t urgently need it back.

A few weeks later, she messaged me saying her boyfriend was upset because he thought I had stolen the money and the laptop bag. I was confused because she had bought the bag for me as a gift. She explained that she didn’t tell him about it because he would have been mad. She then requested $35 to replace the bag. I felt hurt and manipulated, so I reached out to my cousin, who offered to send me $1400 to clear the debt. I sent her $1435, which included the $35 for the bag. I told her I would pay the rest soon.

She went off on me, calling me ungrateful and saying I was making everything about money. She returned the money, and I sent it back to her, asking her not to return it. We had a heated argument, and she ended up blocking me. Three days later, I called her to ask for my iPad, but she refused to give it back, calling me names and even saying she would slap me if she ever saw me again. She basically called me an asshole.

All my friends supported me and even offered to go with me to her place to get the iPad, but I didn’t want more drama. I still haven’t sent her the remaining money. Now I’m wondering if I should just walk away and move on. There’s also a chance she knows my iPad password because I used it in front of her often, and it has everything important to me, like photos, documents, and files. What should I do next?