I sat on the edge of our worn-out bed at sunrise, staring at Jake as he slept, peaceful as always, like bills and debts never touched him.
I gently nudged his shoulder.
“Jake. Get up. Remember, I’m going to deposit the money today.”
He rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “Morning, baby. Up early again?”
I rose to brew his coffee, knowing he’d sit there dreaming about his perfect farm. Five minutes later, he showed up in the kitchen doorway, took his mug, and sat across from me.
“Martha, you know I love you, right? You’re my anchor. You’re all I have.”
I smiled faintly.
“Tell me again, what’s the plan?”
Jake set his cup aside, spreading his arms wide like he already owned acres of land.
“We’ll buy land, keep cows, and sell fresh, chemical-free milk. Folks will come from everywhere to buy from us. Our name will be famous! And that’s only the beginning.”
“And Benny? When do we get him into a proper school?”
“Soon, baby. Soon. We’re close. You sold the lake house — that starts everything.”
I nodded, swallowing the ache in my chest.
That lake house was my last link to my parents. But if it helped Jake build his dream…
“And your savings — that will finish it.”
I glanced at the envelope on the shelf.
“I’ll put every dollar in your account today.”
“I adore you, you know that?” he said, brushing my cheek. “Nobody’s ever believed in me the way you have.”
“Because we’re a family, Jake. You promised — the farm is our dream together.”
“Of course.”
He kissed my forehead so softly I nearly believed him. “Nothing bad will happen to us. You’ve always been my lucky star.”
I packed up to leave, feeling certain I was helping him stand tall at last.
I couldn’t have imagined that ten minutes later, one phone call would flip my entire world.
I stood at the bus stop, cold seeping through my coat.
The bank was twenty minutes away. I pictured handing over the money and Jake hugging me afterward. But a thought clawed at me.
Am I giving too much to this marriage?
My mind roared so loud I nearly missed the vibration in my purse.
ALEX.
I frowned. I didn’t know any Alex.
I answered.
“Hey, baby…”
A woman’s voice, syrupy and slow, slid through the line.
“You’re not picking up. Did she leave already? I’m so sick of waiting. I was up all night…”
My throat closed. I could hardly breathe.
I hung up, staring at my phone.
But — wait. That wasn’t my phone!
“God…”
I tore through my purse. Of course. Jake and I had swapped phones that morning. I had his.
ALEX. Her voice echoed in my skull.
“I’ve been waiting for you all night…”
I didn’t go to the bank. I ducked into the nearest café instead, ordered a coffee I couldn’t drink, and set his phone on the table, studying the messages.
“See you soon.” / “I miss you already.”
My gut twisted.
What if I didn’t let him know I found out? What if I just watched?
He’d come for his phone. I could work with that.
I hurried home and quietly placed the phone on the kitchen table. Sure enough, Jake came in minutes later.
“Hey! Did you see my phone?”
“On the table. Where did you leave it?”
“You’re the best.”
Not anymore, Jake.
He texted quickly, then left again without even a goodbye kiss.
“Gonna be late! Meetings!”
Meetings. Right.
I slipped out behind him, heart pounding so hard I could barely breathe. I flagged down a cab and had it follow him to a house with green shutters.
Through the window, I saw a young blonde, smiling, hugging Jake tightly.
“Okay, Jake,” I thought. “Let’s see your little fairytale.”
I waited until he drove off, then went to the house.
Alex couldn’t have been older than thirty. Her oversized sweater fell off one shoulder.
“Yes? Can I help you?”
I inhaled, feeling my ribs ache.
“I’m Jake’s wife.”
Her eyes went wide, mouth falling open.
“His… wife?”
“That’s right. I’m Martha. The woman funding his dream farm.”
Alex let out a dry laugh. “Come inside. We’re not doing this out here.”
I stepped in. Her hands shook.
“Why are you here? To blame me? Warn me?”
I nearly laughed. What a mess he made.
“Who are you to my husband?”
She looked away.
“I’m the woman he’s going to marry after he leaves you.”
“Marry you?”
“Yes. He said you’re controlling, impossible. He needed money to get away from you.”
“Your money?”
“Yes. For lawyers. Divorce. Alimony.”
I gripped my purse.
“I sold my parents’ house for his dream. I was on my way to give him every penny today. Until I heard your voice on his phone.”
Alex went pale.
“I sold my shares in my father’s company for him. He promised me a new life.”
“Then why lie to me?”
Alex’s mascara was streaked.
“I thought he loved me.”
“He loves money. Yours and mine.”
Alex collapsed onto the couch.
“So what do we do?”
“We let him think he still has us. Then watch him hang himself.”
“And after?”
“Then we take back what’s ours.”
Alex wiped away a tear.
“Okay. Tell me everything.”
I told Jake I’d transferred the money, knowing it would delay. Alex told him she’d get the rest soon. We set up his big date at the restaurant, where I’d be hidden close by.
I showed up early in a borrowed coat and a cheap blonde wig, just one table over.
Three days, Jake. You thought you’d bleed both of us dry?
Ten minutes later, he showed.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said to Alex.
She didn’t smile.
“About the money…”
He sighed. “Alex, trust me. It’s all for us.”
Alex dropped her napkin. My signal.
I stepped behind Jake.
“Hi, honey,” I said sweetly, yanking off the wig.
His face went white.
“Martha?”
Alex smirked. “Surprise.”
Jake sneered. “You two are fools. Martha wired me everything.”
“No, Jake,” I said. “I didn’t send you a cent.”
His jaw dropped.
I tossed a single dollar on the table.
“Enjoy dinner.”
Alex stood. “Pizza? Honest food?”
“Perfect.”
We left together, shoulders brushing, laughing.
“Think we’d end up like this?” she asked.
“Never. But next time, call me first.”
She grinned. “Deal. Extra cheese?”
“Extra wine, too.”
We walked on, two women reclaiming their power at last.
