It started with a dream. His dream.
I sold my parents’ house. Sold my car. Every memory I had of my childhood — gone — just to help my husband Jake build his “dream farm.” I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought we were in this together.
I trusted him with everything… until one random phone call on my way to the bank flipped my world upside down.
It was still early when I sat on the edge of our old bed. Jake lay fast asleep, arms sprawled, mouth slightly open, breathing easy — like he didn’t owe anyone a cent, like life was perfect.
I touched his shoulder. “Jake. Wake up. Remember? I’m taking the money to the bank today.”
He blinked, stretched, and gave me that lazy morning smile. “Morning, baby. You’re up early again, huh?”
I shrugged. “Well, who else if not me?”
I went to make him coffee, just like I always did. A few minutes later, he came into the kitchen and reached for the mug.
“Martha,” he said, sitting across from me, “you know I love you, right? You’re my rock. My everything.”
I gave him a small smile. I’d heard that line before.
“Tell me again. What’s the plan?” I asked.
Jake’s eyes lit up. He put down the mug and spread his arms like he was already hugging the farm into existence.
“We get the land. We raise our own cows, make organic milk. No chemicals. People will drive across states just to get a jar of Wright Dairy milk. We’ll build a brand — our name on every product. And that’s just the start.”
I nodded, watching him live in a fantasy.
“And the kids?” I asked. “When do we send Benny to a real school?”
“Soon, baby, soon. You selling the lake house — that was the beginning.”
That lake house was my parents’ legacy. Every holiday, every memory I had with them… now gone.
“But your money — that’s the final piece,” Jake said.
I glanced at the thick envelope resting on the shelf. “I’ll put it in your account today.”
Jake smiled and leaned forward, brushing his fingers across my cheek.
“No one’s ever done this much for me. I adore you.”
“Because we’re family,” I whispered. “You said the farm was our dream.”
“Of course it is, baby.”
He kissed my forehead gently, like a man who wanted to be believed.
And like a fool, I almost believed him.
I got dressed, grabbed the envelope, and left for the bank.
I was standing at the bus stop when the wind cut through my coat, sharp as needles. I kept thinking about Jake, imagining the way he’d hug me after I handed him the money.
But something was off. There was this whisper in my chest — am I giving too much?
I almost missed the buzzing sound from my purse.
ALEX.
Huh? I didn’t know any Alex.
I answered the call, curious.
“Hey, baby…”
A woman’s voice. Sweet. Sugary. Too smooth.
“You’re not answering. Did she leave already? I’m so tired of waiting. I waited all night for you…”
My body turned cold. I couldn’t breathe.
I hung up. My hands were shaking.
What the hell was that?
I looked at the phone in my hand.
It wasn’t mine.
Oh god.
Jake and I had switched phones that morning.
That voice… that woman… she was waiting for my husband.
I ran into the nearest coffee shop, sat at a corner table, and laid his phone down in front of me. I didn’t even touch my coffee.
I opened his messages.
“See you in 30.”
“Miss you already.”
“Last night was amazing.”
I couldn’t stop shaking.
I had a choice. Blow up right now. Or play along and find out how deep this went.
I chose the second.
I raced back home, unlocked the door quietly, and placed Jake’s phone on the kitchen table.
Ten minutes later, he returned.
Through the window, I watched him walk in and look around.
“Hey!” he called. “Did you see my phone?”
“On the table,” I replied, pretending to sip tea. “Right where you left it.”
“You’re a lifesaver.”
He didn’t kiss me. Didn’t even look me in the eyes.
“I’ll be late! Meetings. Don’t wait up!”
Sure. Meetings.
I waited five minutes, then followed him.
I hopped into a cab. The driver gave me a quick nod. “Where to?”
“Just follow that silver truck,” I said. “Don’t lose it.”
Jake stopped at a cozy little house with green shutters. I stayed in the cab and watched through the window.
A blonde woman opened the door, wearing a loose sweater that slid off one shoulder.
Jake wrapped his arms around her like she was home.
That’s when I whispered, “Okay, hubby. Let’s see who you’re really building that dream with.”
I waited until he left before I walked up to the door and rang the bell.
Alex opened it, surprised, her eyes curious but guarded.
“Yes?”
I took a deep breath. “I’m Jake’s wife.”
She froze. Her face paled.
“His… wife?”
I nodded. “Martha. The one selling her life for his farm dream.”
Alex stepped back and opened the door wider.
“Come inside. I don’t want the neighbors hearing this.”
Her hands were shaking. She looked like a ghost of herself.
“Why are you here? To yell at me? Blame me?”
“No,” I said. “I want to know how long this has been going on. Why he’s been here instead of business meetings.”
Alex looked down. Then back up. “He said he’s leaving you. He said you were ruining him.”
My jaw clenched. “Did he ask you for money?”
Alex hesitated. “Yes. I sold my shares in my dad’s company. He said he needed it to pay for divorce lawyers. And alimony.”
I nearly collapsed into a chair.
“I almost gave him everything this morning. My inheritance. My car. My parents’ home. Until you called.”
Her eyes widened.
“I didn’t know.”
“No. Neither of us did.”
Alex sat down slowly. “So what do we do?”
I met her eyes. “We don’t say anything. We let him think everything’s normal. We play him. And then we destroy him.”
She gave a slow, dangerous smile.
“Tell me the plan.”
Three days later, it all came together.
I told Jake the money was wired and would arrive soon. Alex told him she had her money ready too. They planned a dinner to “celebrate.” He thought he was getting both.
I got to the restaurant early, sat one table behind them, in disguise. Blonde wig. Old coat from Alex’s closet. I was just another woman enjoying her evening.
Jake showed up right on time.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said to Alex, leaning in for a kiss.
She pulled back slightly. “We need to talk. About the money.”
Jake sighed like a tired saint. “Again? Baby, I told you — it’s for us.”
“And you’re sure you’re leaving her?”
“Of course. That woman’s crazy. She’s trying to ruin my life.”
Alex dropped her napkin. Our signal.
I stood up, walked to their table, and slowly pulled off my wig.
Jake’s face went white.
“Martha?”
“Hi, sweetheart,” I said. “Nice dinner?”
Alex leaned in. “Surprise, Jake. You’re not as clever as you think.”
He tried to laugh. “You’re both idiots. You were ready to give me your money.”
Alex crossed her arms. “Not anymore.”
Jake sneered. “Fine. Don’t. Martha already sent hers.”
I smiled. “No, Jake. I didn’t. I was on my way to the bank when I got a call from your fiancée. You really shouldn’t leave your phone at home.”
He looked like someone pulled the ground out from under him.
I pulled a single dollar from my bag, dropped it on the table.
“Here. That’s all you get. Consider it a tip.”
Alex stood beside me. “We’re going to grab real food now. Honest food.”
Jake stammered. “You can’t do this to me!”
I winked. “We just did.”
Outside, the cold didn’t bother me anymore. Alex bumped my shoulder with hers.
“You ever imagine we’d end up on the same side?”
I laughed. “Never. But I’m glad we did.”
“Extra cheese?” she asked.
“Extra cheese. And maybe a bottle of wine.”
We walked off together — two women who were done being fooled.
And finally, finally, taking something back.