I sold my parents’ house and my car to help my husband start the farm he always dreamed of. I fully trusted him—until one phone call on my way to the bank made me question who he was really doing it all for.
That morning, I sat on the edge of our old bed and watched Jake sleep peacefully, like he didn’t have a care in the world—no debts, no bills. I gently touched his shoulder.
“Jake, wake up. Remember, we agreed I’d take the money to the bank today.”
He slowly opened his eyes and said, “Morning, baby. You’re up early again, huh?”
“Well, who else would do it if not me?” I said.
I got up to make his coffee so he could sit in the kitchen and keep dreaming about the farm. A few minutes later, he was already there, reaching for his mug and sitting across from me.
“Martha, you know I love you, right? You’re my everything,” he said.
I just smiled.
“Tell me again—what’s the plan?” I asked.
Jake pushed his mug aside and stretched out his arms like he could already see the farm.
“We’ll have our own land, fresh milk, no chemicals. People will come from everywhere to buy from us. Our name on every jar. And that’s just the beginning!”
“And what about the kids? When can we finally send Benny to a good school?”
“Soon, baby. Everything’s going to work out. You sold the lake house — that’s a great start.”
I nodded. That little house by the lake was the last thing I had from my mom and dad. But if it helped build Jake’s dream…
“And your money — that’s the final piece,” he added.
I looked at the envelope sitting on the shelf.
“I’ll put it into your account today.”
“I adore you,” Jake said, gently touching my cheek. “No one’s ever done so much for me.”
“Because we’re family, Jake. You promised — the farm is our dream, not just yours.”
“Of course, baby,” Jake said.
He kissed my forehead so gently, it almost made me believe everything he was saying. “Nothing bad will happen to us. You’ve always been my good luck,” he added.
While he said those sweet words, I was already getting ready to go to the bank.
All I wanted was to help my husband build something for himself. But I had no idea that just ten minutes later, one phone call would change everything.
I waited at the bus stop, shivering as the cold crept through my coat. The trip to the bank would only take about twenty minutes. I kept imagining handing over the money and Jake hugging me afterward.
But deep down, I started to wonder…
Am I giving too much in this marriage?
My mind was so full of thoughts that I almost didn’t hear my phone buzzing in my purse. I pulled it out and looked at the screen.
ALEX.
I squinted. I didn’t know anyone named Alex.
Still, I answered the call.
“Hey, baby…”
It was a woman’s voice—soft and sweet, like syrup.
“You’re not answering. Did she leave already? I’m so tired of waiting. I waited for you all night…”
My throat closed up. I could barely breathe.
I ended the call without saying a word.
What just happened?..
I looked down at the phone in my hand. The same old crack in the corner, the worn-out case…
It wasn’t my phone.
“Oh no…”
I quickly dug through my purse, flipping everything out. And then I realized—Jake and I had accidentally switched phones that morning. I was holding his phone.
ALEX.
Her voice kept echoing in my head.
“I’ve been waiting for you all night…”
I didn’t go to the bank like I planned. Instead, I went into the nearest coffee shop, bought a cup of coffee, but didn’t drink a drop.
I just stared at the phone on the table, reading the messages Jake hadn’t even tried to hide:
“See you in thirty minutes.”
“Miss you already.”
Then a thought hit me.
What if I didn’t tell him I knew? What if I just… watched and waited?
He’d have to come back for his phone. I could make it look like nothing happened.
I rushed home, slipped inside quietly, and placed the phone back on the kitchen table like it had never been gone.
Sure enough, Jake came back. I watched him from the kitchen window as he walked up.
He looked at me and winked—like everything was fine.
“Hey! Did you see my phone?” Jake asked.
“It’s on the table. Right where you left it,” I replied.
“You’re my lifesaver.”
Not today, Jake. Not anymore.
I watched as he quickly typed out a message and rushed out the door. No goodbye kiss. No second glance.
“I’ll be late! Meetings. Don’t wait up!” he called out.
Yeah, sure. Meetings.
My heart pounded in my chest like it was trying to break free. I slipped out quietly and hopped into the first cab I saw—just like in those movie scenes.
We pulled up in front of a small house with green shutters. Through an open window, I could hear a woman’s voice—cheerful, sugary, too sweet.
I stayed in the cab and watched Jake wrap his arms around a pretty blond woman.
“Alright, hubby. Let’s play your game together…” she said.
I couldn’t look away. I needed to see her face.
So once Jake drove off, I got out of the cab and walked straight toward the house with the green shutters.
Alex looked like she wasn’t even thirty yet. Blonde hair falling over her shoulders, a big sweater slipping off one side. She opened the door and gave me a confused look.
“Yes? Can I help you?”
I took a deep breath, even though it hurt to do so.
“I think you can. I’m Jake’s wife.”
She froze. Her mouth opened, then shut again.
“His… wife?”
“That’s right. Martha. The one paying the bills. The one helping him build his dream farm.”
She let out a short, awkward laugh, but her eyes weren’t smiling. She opened the door wider.
“Come inside. We’re not having this conversation on the porch.”
I walked in and noticed her hands shaking slightly.
“So what—are you here to call me names? Tell me to back off?”
I almost laughed. What a mess we had both walked into because of him.
“No. I want to know—who are you to my husband? Why is he here with you instead of at some ‘business meeting’?”
Alex looked away for a moment, then lifted her chin.
“I’m the woman he’s going to marry. After he leaves you.”
“Marry you? He told you that?”
“Yes. He said living with you is a nightmare. That you’re controlling. That you’d destroy him if he didn’t get out now. I’ve been helping him. I’ll give him whatever he needs…”
I stared at her.
“You’re giving him money?”
“Yes,” Alex said. “He told me he needed the money for lawyers—to pay for the divorce and child support for your kid.”
I stared at her, gripping the strap of my bag tighter.
“I sold my parents’ lake house to help him start a business. I was on my way to the bank this morning to give him every last cent I had.”
“You didn’t go through with it?”
“No, Alex. But I almost did—until I accidentally took his phone and heard your sweet little voice.”
She looked at me like she was seeing her own reflection shattered.
“I sold my shares in my dad’s company for him,” she said. “He told me we’d move somewhere new, just the two of us. He promised he was done with you.”
“Then why did he keep you a secret? Why lie to me and say this was our dream?”
Alex looked up, her mascara slightly smeared. She slowly shook her head.
“I thought I was smart. I really believed he loved me.”
“He loves himself,” I said. “And your money—just like he used mine.”
Alex sat down on the edge of the couch, stunned.
“So… what now?”
“If we let him believe we’re both still fooled, he’ll walk right into his own mess.”
Alex wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
“And then what?”
“Then we take back everything he stole from us.”
Finally, she smiled.
“Tell me the plan.”
I told Jake I had sent all the money straight into his account — and smiled like the trusting wife he thought I still was.
“It’ll take three days to go through,” I said.
Alex played her part too. She told him she’d have the rest of the money ready soon, just like he asked. They planned to meet at a restaurant.
But we’d already agreed — I’d be there too. Just not where he could see me.
I got there early, before either of them, and took a seat at a table just behind theirs.
I wore an old coat from Alex’s closet and a cheap blonde wig I’d bought that afternoon. It was itchy under my scarf, but I didn’t care. All I had to do now was listen.
Three days, Jake. You really thought you could take money from both of us and vanish?
About ten minutes later, it all started.
“Hey, beautiful,” Jake said, leaning over to kiss Alex on the cheek. “Sorry I’m late. You look amazing.”
“Of course she does,” I thought. “She’s your newest ‘investor’ in this big lie.”
But Alex didn’t smile like she used to.
“I wanted to talk about the money again,” she said.
Jake’s face tensed. “Again? Alex, we’ve already talked about this.”
“Yeah, but I need to understand. Why do you need so much, Jake? Where’s it all going?”
His voice sounded calm, but fake — like he was trying not to snap.
“It’s for us, baby. You know that. I have to keep Martha off my back. The lawyers are expensive. She’s trying to drain me dry with the divorce.”
I held back a laugh.
Losing it? Jake, you have no idea how calm I really am. Calm enough to destroy you completely.
Alex lightly tapped her fingernails on her glass.
“So, you’re really leaving her?” she asked.
Jake sighed, clearly annoyed. “Of course I am. You think I’d go through all this if I wasn’t serious? You have to trust me, Alex. I’m doing this for us.”
Then Alex dropped her napkin on the floor — our signal.
I stood up slowly and walked right up behind Jake. He didn’t even notice me until I was standing beside him.
“Hi, honey,” I said sweetly, pulling off the blonde wig and tossing it onto the table. “Looks like your little scheme is almost done, huh?”
Jake’s face went pale.
“Martha? What the—”
Alex gave him a sly smile. “Surprise, Jake. Looks like your wife and your girlfriend finally agree on something.”
Jake tried to laugh it off, but it sounded forced.
“You’re both idiots. You were ready to hand over all your money. Who’s the real fool here?”
Alex raised her eyebrows. “Well, you’re not getting anything from me now. Not after this.”
Jake scoffed. “Whatever. Martha already sent me the money anyway. You should learn from her — she’s loyal to the end.”
I leaned in close to his face. “No, Jake. I didn’t send you a single cent. One phone call from Alex saved me. Remember when you left your phone at home? Next time, try being smarter when you’re cheating on two women at the same time.”
Jake’s mouth opened like he wanted to argue — but nothing came out.
I stepped back, pulled a dollar from my purse, and tossed it on the table.
“Enjoy the dinner, sweetheart. I’ll make sure you get exactly what you deserve,” I said as I turned to leave.
Alex grabbed her coat and looked at Jake with a smirk. “We’re getting pizza. Real food—simple and honest. Good luck convincing your next ‘investor.’”
Jake sat there speechless as we walked away, both of us laughing. Outside, Alex nudged me playfully with her shoulder.
“So… did you ever think we’d end up like this?”
I grinned. “Not in a million years. But hey, if you ever need a partner in crime again, I’m your girl.”
She laughed out loud. “Deal. But first—extra cheese?”
“Extra cheese. And maybe some extra wine too.”
We strolled down the street side by side—two women who had given too much for someone who didn’t deserve it, but who finally took back their power.