The evening began like any other first date. We sat in a cozy booth, golden light flickering across the table. My date introduced himself as Deacon—confident, charming, full of stories about his fitness routines and entrepreneurial dreams. He carried himself like someone who had done this many times before.

When the bill came, the waitress quietly placed it on the table and said, “Sir, your card was declined.”

His face faltered, though he quickly covered it with a laugh. I reached for my purse, ready to help, but what happened next changed everything.