The sun was setting over the busy city when Lisa, a 28-year-old lawyer, stepped out of her office. She was smiling, thinking about her fiancé, Max. Their relationship was only three months old, but it felt deep and strong. Soon, they were going to get married.
Max was waiting by his car, holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers. When he saw Lisa, his face lit up. “These are for you,” he said, handing her the flowers with a warm smile.
Lisa’s eyes sparkled as she took the bouquet. “Thank you! They’re gorgeous,” she said, feeling special.
They climbed into Max’s car, ready to drive home. Max glanced at Lisa’s hand and said with a playful smile, “Let me see the engagement ring again. I want to see how it suits you.”
Lisa held out her hand, and Max noticed something else on her finger. “Hey, what’s that other ring?” he asked, curious.
“That’s a family heirloom,” Lisa replied proudly. “It’s very old and precious to me.”
“Looks expensive,” Max said, impressed.
“It is, but it’s more about memories than money,” Lisa said softly.
Then Max’s mood changed. He told Lisa that his father was in the hospital and needed a costly surgery. “I’m stuck because all my money is tied up in a startup I invested in. I don’t have enough for the operation,” he confessed.
Lisa frowned. “How much do you need?”
“About $50,000. Everything included.”
Lisa hesitated. “I don’t have that kind of money right now.”
“You were saving for a house, right? I’ll pay you back as soon as I get the startup money,” Max promised.
Lisa bit her lip, unsure but wanting to help. “I’ll think about it. Maybe we can figure something out.”
Max smiled, relieved. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
Suddenly, Max’s phone rang. He answered quickly and frowned. “It’s the housekeeper. There’s a flood in the basement. I have to go take care of it. I can’t make it to dinner with your parents tonight.”
Lisa’s heart sank. “I understand. But I’m still sad you’re missing dinner. Can we reschedule for tomorrow?”
Max shook his head. “It’s going to take longer than I thought. I don’t think I’ll be free tomorrow either. I’m really sorry, Lisa.”
The drive continued with a strange mix of worry and disappointment hanging in the air. At a red light, Lisa suddenly said, “I think I’ll get out here.”
Max blinked, surprised. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“I need some time to think. You’ve got your house problems to handle,” Lisa said, opening the door and stepping out.
Lisa walked fast through the busy streets, her mind spinning with questions and doubts. She decided to go to her parents’ house. Once inside, she told them everything, her voice trembling with confusion and hurt.
Her dad, Tom, nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe you should surprise Max. Sometimes couples just have misunderstandings.”
“I don’t even know where he lives,” Lisa admitted.
Tom smiled. “Leave that to me.” He pulled out his old police contacts and quickly found Max’s address.
With the address in hand, Lisa felt nervous but determined. She took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. The door opened to a woman Lisa didn’t expect.
“Are you Max’s housekeeper? Is Max home?” Lisa asked hopefully.
“No, I’m his wife, Kate. Who are you?” the woman said, looking at Lisa like she was crazy.
Lisa stammered, “I’m Lisa… Max’s fiancée.”
Kate’s face twisted with anger. “Fiancée? What kind of joke is this? He’s married—to me!” She showed her shiny wedding ring.
Lisa pulled out her engagement ring, her voice shaking. “He never said he was married. I didn’t know.”
Kate’s anger exploded. “You were trying to seduce my husband!” She grabbed a vase and threw it near Lisa’s feet. “Get out! And never come near him again!”
Before Lisa could say anything, Kate slammed the door shut.
Lisa sat on the steps, tears streaming down her face. But after a while, Kate returned, holding two glasses of wine. She softened and said, “I’m sorry I scared you. That man has lied to both of us.”
Lisa wiped her tears. “I didn’t know he was married. He even asked me for $50,000 for his father’s surgery.”
Kate’s eyes widened. “His father died five years ago. Can you believe that? We’ve been tricked.”
Lisa and Kate sipped their wine, sharing a quiet moment. Then Kate stood up firmly. “It’s time to face him.”
Kate called Max. He said he was stuck at the office and couldn’t come home. Lisa thought, That flood was a lie.
The two women went to Max’s office. His security guard knew Kate and let them in without trouble. Inside, they searched and found shocking evidence: loan papers in Kate’s name, a mortgaged house, and fake passports with different names for Max.
“So his real name isn’t even Max,” Kate said, shocked.
Lisa guessed, “He planned to scam you—and me.”
Kate’s face darkened. “We were supposed to go to Chicago for an auction in three days. Max convinced me to sell a painting I love.” She looked away, regret in her eyes.
“What auction?” Lisa asked.
Kate shook her head. “Forget it. We have bigger problems now.”
Lisa stared at the fake passports. “We can hand him over to the police.”
Kate shook her head. “Too easy. He’ll run. I want him to lose everything and see it happen.”
Kate smiled slyly. “Transfer the money to him. We’ll track where he withdraws it.”
Lisa hesitated. “That’s all my savings… I’m scared.”
Kate’s eyes locked on Lisa’s. “Do you want to put him behind bars?”
Lisa nodded. “Yes.”
“Then let’s do it.”
Lisa called Max. “Hey, Max. Want to meet for lunch today?”
“Sure. I can pick you up in an hour,” Max said casually.
Kate’s phone buzzed. “It’s Max,” she whispered to Lisa.
Kate answered coldly, “Hello?”
“Hey Kate, I’ll be late. Don’t wait up,” Max said.
“Okay,” Kate said steadily.
At lunch, Lisa smiled and said, “I’ve decided to give you the money for your dad’s surgery.”
Max’s face lit up. “Thank you, Lisa. You’re amazing.”
Lisa forced a smile, her heart aching. After she transferred the money, they ate in silence. Max didn’t suspect a thing.
Later, at Lisa’s house, Max asked to use her bathroom. She nervously agreed. After he left, Lisa called Kate but got no answer.
Growing worried, Lisa went to Max and Kate’s house. It was empty. They had vanished.
Panicked, Lisa called her dad. “Dad, I’ve been scammed. They took all my savings and ran away.”
Tom sighed. “I’m sorry, Lisa. They’re clever criminals. Tracing them won’t be easy, but we’ll try.”
Lisa returned home, devastated. Suddenly, she realized something terrible — her family heirloom ring was missing. She remembered Max used the bathroom; he must have taken it.
Her heart clenched. That ring wasn’t just jewelry; it was history.
Then she recalled the auction Kate mentioned. Could her ring be there?
Determined, Lisa called a trusted client who knew underground auctions. Soon, she had access to a secret auction in Chicago.
Disguised, Lisa entered the dark hall. On stage, Kate held Lisa’s precious ring.
“That’s my ring! It’s not worth what she says,” Lisa whispered to a nearby woman. The woman shrugged.
Bidding soared higher and higher. Lisa’s heart pounded as she kept bidding. Finally, she won the ring for $300,000.
Kate looked nervous. “How will you pay?”
Lisa stood and shouted to the crowd, “Max will pay for everything!”
Suddenly, police officers burst in, arresting Kate. Lisa watched, feeling both proud and sad as her “friend” was handcuffed.
At the police station, Lisa waited behind a one-way mirror while Kate was questioned.
The detective said, “Tell us where Max is, and we’ll make it easier on you.”
Kate hesitated, then nodded. “I’ll give you the address if you reduce my sentence.”
Soon, Max was arrested. His confident smile vanished.
The detective told him, “You’re in big trouble. Fraud, theft, identity fraud. Kate told us everything.”
Max looked defeated.
Lisa felt a strange mix of pain and relief. Finally, justice was coming.
As she walked out into the night, she thought, This is the end of Max—and the start of my new life.
