“Marry you? He told you that?”
“Yes. He said you’re impossible to live with.
Controlling. That you’d ruin him if he didn’t get out now. I’ll give him everything to help…”
I blinked.
“Yes. He said he needed it for lawyers. To pay off the divorce settlement.
And alimony for your kid.”
I stared at her, my hand tightening around my bag strap. “I sold my parents’ lake house so he could start a business. I was on my way to the bank this morning to give him every last penny I had.”
“No, Alex.
But I almost did. Until I picked up his phone by mistake. Heard your sweet little voice.”
She stared at me like she was seeing her own face cracked in a dirty mirror.
“I sold my shares in my father’s company for him. He said we’d get a new place together, far from here. He swore he was done with you.”
“Then why did he hide you?
Why lie to me that this was all for us?”
Alex looked up, her mascara smudged at the corners. She shook her head slowly. “I thought I was smart.
I thought he loved me.”
“He loves himself. And your bank account. Just like mine.”
Alex sank onto the edge of the couch.
“If we let him think he still has us both, he’ll walk straight into his own trap.”
Alex wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. “And then?”
“Then we take back what’s ours.”
She finally smiled. ***
I told Jake I’d wired all the money straight into his account — and smiled like the trusting wife he always counted on.
Alex played her part too. She told my husband she’d have the rest of the money ready for him, just like he wanted. They arranged their little date at the restaurant.
We’d already agreed — I’d be there too. Not far away. Hidden in plain sight.
I got there early, before either of them, and slipped into a seat just one table behind. I wore an old coat I’d borrowed from Alex’s closet and a cheap blonde wig I’d picked up that afternoon. It scratched my scalp under my scarf.
But I didn’t care. From there, all I needed to do was listen. Three days, Jake.
You really thought you’d get both of us to pay you before you disappeared? Ten minutes later, the game began. “Hey, beautiful,” Jake said, leaning across the table to kiss Alex’s cheek.
“Sorry, I’m late. You look… incredible.”
“Of course she does,” I thought. “She’s the latest investor in your fantasy.”
Alex didn’t smile back the way she used to.
Jake frowned. “Again? Alex, we’ve been over this.”
“Yeah, but I want to be sure.
Why do you need so much, Jake? Where does it go?”
I could hear the forced patience in his voice. “It’s all for us, baby.
You know that. I have to keep Martha off my back. The lawyers cost a fortune.
She wants to bleed me dry in the divorce.”
I bit back a laugh. Losing my mind? You have no idea how calm I am, Jake.
Calm enough to burn you to the ground. Alex tapped her nails on her glass. Jake let out an annoyed sigh.
“Of course I am. You think I’d be doing all this if I weren’t serious? I need you to trust me, Alex.
I’m doing this for us.”
Alex dropped her napkin to the floor. OUR SIGNAL. I stood up slowly and stepped up behind Jake.
He didn’t see me until I was right there. “Hi, honey,” I said sweetly, ripping the wig off my head and dropping it on the table. “Looks like your big deal is almost closed, huh?”
Jake’s face drained of color.
Alex smirked. “Surprise, Jake. Looks like your wife and your girlfriend finally agree on something.”
Jake tried to laugh, but it came out wrong.
“You two are idiots. You were both ready to give me your money. Who’s the fool here?”
Alex raised her brows.
“Oh, you’re not getting a dime from me now. Not after this.”
Jake snorted. “Fine.
Don’t. But Martha already wired me everything anyway. You should learn from her.
Loyal to the end.”
I leaned down to my husband. “No, Jake. I didn’t send you a damn cent.
One call from Alex saved me. Remember when you left your phone at home? Next time, be more careful when you’re playing two women at once.”
Jake’s mouth opened, then closed.
I stood back, yanked one dollar from my purse, and tossed it on the table. “Enjoy the dinner, sweetheart. I’ll pay what you deserve.”
Alex grabbed her coat.
“We’re gonna get pizza. Real food — cheap and honest. Have fun explaining this to your next ‘investor.’”
I watched Jake sputter behind us as we walked away — the two of us laughing.
Outside, Alex nudged me with her shoulder. I grinned. “Not once.
But I’ll tell you what — you ever need a partner in crime again, call me.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “Deal. But first — extra cheese?”
“Extra cheese.
And maybe extra wine.”
We walked off down the street together — two women who’d given too much, and finally took something back. Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.
Source: amomama
