I sold my parents’ house and my car to help my husband chase his dream of owning a farm. I trusted him completely — until one unexpected call on my way to the bank revealed who he was really building that dream for.
That morning, I sat at the edge of our old bed, watching Jake sleep so soundly, as if he didn’t have debts piling up or bills waiting. I gently nudged his shoulder.
“Jake, wake up. Remember? Today I’m taking the money to the bank.”
He rubbed his eyes and smiled lazily. “Morning, baby. Up early again?”
“Well, someone has to keep things moving.”
I went to make him coffee — his favorite ritual, so he could sit in the kitchen and imagine his future farm. Minutes later, he joined me, grabbing his mug and sitting across from me.
“Martha, you know you’re my everything, right? My rock.”
I just smiled back.
“So tell me again, what’s our big plan?”
He set the mug aside and spread his arms like he could already see the entire farm laid out.
“We’ll have acres of land, fresh dairy, no chemicals. People from everywhere will line up to buy from us. Our brand on every jar. And that’s just the start!”
“And the kids? When can we finally send Benny to a good school?” I asked.
“Soon, babe. Once we get this going. You selling the lake house was the first big step.”
I nodded. That lake house was my last physical link to my parents. But if it meant helping Jake reach his dream…
“And your money — that’s the final piece,” he said.
I glanced at the thick envelope on the shelf.
“I’m putting it all into your account today.”
Jake leaned forward, brushed his fingers along my cheek. “No one has ever believed in me like you do.”
“We’re a team,” I said softly. “This is our dream, together.”
“Of course,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Nothing can break us.”
While he whispered those sweet reassurances, I was already gathering my things to leave.
I believed I was helping him stand on his own two feet — but I didn’t know that in just a few minutes, a single phone call would unravel everything.
I stood at the bus stop, shivering as the cold crept through my coat. The bank was only twenty minutes away, and I pictured Jake hugging me when I came back, thanking me again.
But a tiny voice inside me wondered:
Am I sacrificing too much?
My thoughts were so loud I almost missed my phone buzzing in my bag. I pulled it out and looked at the screen.
ALEX.
I squinted. I didn’t know any Alex.
I answered.
“Hey, baby…”
A woman’s voice. Sweet, thick like syrup.
“You’re not answering… Did she leave yet? I’m tired of waiting. I waited all night…”
My chest tightened. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
I hung up immediately, my hands shaking.
What was that?
I looked closer at the phone — the old crack in the corner, the worn case…
This wasn’t my phone. It was Jake’s.
I tore through my purse in a panic. We must have accidentally switched phones that morning.
ALEX. Her voice echoed in my head.
“I waited for you all night…”
I didn’t go to the bank. I ducked into a nearby coffee shop, ordered a coffee I didn’t even touch.
The phone sat on the table, screen lighting up with messages:
“See you soon.” / “Miss you already.”
It all clicked at once.
What if I didn’t tell him I knew? What if I waited?
He’d have to come back for his phone.
I hurried home, slipped in quietly, and placed his phone on the kitchen table like it had never left. And right on cue, Jake came rushing in.
“Hey! Have you seen my phone?”
“On the table,” I said calmly. “Right where you left it.”
“You’re a lifesaver.”
Not anymore, Jake.
He quickly sent a text, barely looked at me, and left.
“I’ll be late! Meetings. Don’t wait up!”
Meetings. Right.
My heart pounded as I slipped out behind him and jumped into a cab.
We pulled up in front of a small house with green shutters. Through an open window, I could hear her — that sweet, cheerful voice.
I watched Jake wrap his arms around a young blonde woman.
Alright, Jake. Let’s see this play out.
I waited until he drove off, then approached the house.
Alex couldn’t have been older than thirty. She wore an oversized sweater slipping off her shoulder.
“Yes? Can I help you?” she asked, confused.
I took a deep breath.
“I’m Jake’s wife.”
She froze, her jaw dropping.
“His… wife?”
“That’s right. I’m Martha — the one paying for his farm.”
She let out a half-laugh, half-gasp. Then she pulled the door wider.
“Come in. Let’s not do this out here.”
I stepped inside. I saw her hands trembling.
“Are you here to blame me? Tell me to stay away?” she asked.
I almost laughed at the absurdity.
“Who are you to him? Why was he really here?”
Alex’s eyes darted away, but she lifted her chin.
“I’m the woman he’s going to marry. After he divorces you.”
“He told you that?”
“Yes. He said you’re controlling and toxic. That he’d lose everything if he stayed. I offered him money to help.”
“You’re giving him money?” I asked, stunned.
“Yes. He said he needed it for lawyers and alimony.”
I felt like I’d been punched.
“I sold my parents’ house to fund his dream. This morning, I was about to hand him every last penny I had.”
“You didn’t do it?”
“No. I would have… until I answered your call on his phone.”
Alex looked like she’d seen her reflection shatter.
“I sold my shares in my dad’s company for him. He promised a new life together, far away.”
“Then why did he lie to both of us?” I asked.
She wiped tears from her cheeks.
“I thought he loved me.”
“He loves no one but himself — and our wallets,” I said coldly.
Alex collapsed onto the couch.
“So… what do we do now?”
“If we let him think he still has us both, he’ll trap himself.”
Alex wiped her eyes and nodded.
“And then?”
“Then we get our revenge.”
She took a shaky breath, then smiled.
“Tell me the plan.”
I told Jake I had wired all the money into his account — and acted like the devoted wife he thought he had.
“It’ll be fully cleared in three days,” I told him.
Alex played along too. She promised Jake she’d have the rest of the money ready. They set up a dinner date to finalize everything.
We had agreed: I’d be there too, hidden in plain sight.
I got there early, wearing an old coat from Alex’s closet and a cheap blonde wig. I slipped into a seat just one table behind theirs.
Three days, Jake. You really thought you’d fool us both and disappear?
Minutes later, he arrived.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he said, leaning in to kiss Alex. “Sorry I’m late. You look amazing.”
Alex didn’t smile.
“I want to discuss the money again,” she said.
Jake frowned. “Again? We already talked about this.”
“I want to understand. Why so much? Where does it go?”
His patience cracked.
“It’s all for us. You know that. The lawyers, keeping Martha away — it’s expensive.”
I almost laughed out loud behind them.
Alex dropped her napkin. OUR SIGNAL.
I stood up, walked to them, and stopped right behind Jake. He didn’t notice until I spoke.
“Hi, honey,” I said sweetly, ripping the wig off and tossing it on the table. “Looks like your master plan is falling apart.”
Jake’s face turned ghostly pale.
“Martha? What… what is this?”
Alex smirked. “Surprise, Jake. We’re on the same side now.”
He tried to laugh it off.
“You two are fools. You were both about to give me your money. Who’s really the idiot here?”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I’m not giving you a cent now. Not after tonight.”
Jake snorted. “Fine. But Martha already wired me everything. She’s loyal to the end.”
I leaned in, close to his face.
“No, Jake. I didn’t send you a single penny. Alex’s call saved me. Next time, be careful which phone you leave behind when you juggle two women.”
Jake’s mouth opened and shut like a fish.
I pulled out a single dollar from my purse and dropped it on the table.
“Enjoy your dinner. That’s all you get from me.”
Alex grabbed her coat. “We’re off to get pizza. Real food — cheap and honest.”
I watched Jake sitting there speechless as we walked out together, laughing.
Outside, Alex nudged me.
“Imagine us ending up like this,” she said.
I smiled. “Never in a million years. But hey, if you ever need a partner in crime again, you know who to call.”
She burst out laughing. “Deal. But first — extra cheese?”
“Extra cheese. And maybe extra wine.”
We strolled away, two women who had given too much for far too long — and finally took something back for themselves.