The Betrayal That Changed Everything
I sat on the edge of our bed, watching Jake sleep. His chest rose and fell peacefully, like he didn’t have a care in the world—no debts, no worries, just dreams of his perfect farm. I reached out and gently shook his shoulder.
“Jake. Wake up. Today’s the day—I’m taking the money to the bank.”
He groaned, rubbing his eyes. “Morning, baby. You’re up early again.”
I forced a smile. “Well, someone has to be.”
I moved to the kitchen to make his coffee, just like I did every morning. Five minutes later, he stumbled in, yawning, and reached for his mug.
“Martha,” he said, his voice thick with sleep, “you know I love you, right? You’re my rock. My everything.”
I didn’t answer. Instead, I asked, “Tell me again—what’s the plan?”
Jake’s face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. He spread his arms wide, as if he could already see it.
“Our own land, Martha! Fresh milk, organic produce—no chemicals, no middlemen. People will come from all over to buy from us. Our name on every jar, every label. This is just the beginning!”
I swallowed hard. “And Benny? When do we finally send him to that better school?”
“Soon, baby, soon,” he said, waving a hand like it was nothing. “Everything’s falling into place. You sold the lake house—that was the first step.”
I nodded. That little lake house was the last thing I had from my parents. But I gave it up—for him. For us.
“And now,” Jake continued, his eyes flicking to the envelope on the shelf, “your money is the final piece.”
“I’ll deposit it all today,” I said quietly.
Jake leaned in, brushing his fingers against my cheek. “I adore you, you know that? No one’s ever done for me what you have.”
“Because we’re family, Jake,” I whispered. “You promised—this farm is our dream.”
“Of course it is, baby.”
He kissed my forehead, so soft I almost believed him. “Nothing’s gonna happen to us. You’ve always been my lucky charm.”
As I left for the bank, his sweet words echoed in my head. But little did I know—in just ten minutes, my whole world would shatter.
The Phone Call That Exposed Everything
The bus stop was freezing, the wind cutting right through my coat. I clutched the envelope tighter—our future, his dream. I kept imagining Jake’s face when I told him the money was in his account. The way he’d hug me, thank me, promise me everything would be worth it.
But then—buzz.
My phone.
I dug through my purse, frowning when I saw the name on the screen:
ALEX.
I didn’t know any Alex.
I answered.
“Hey, baby…” A woman’s voice—sweet, sticky, like syrup. “You’re not answering. Did she leave already? I’ve been waiting for you all night…”
My breath caught. My fingers turned to ice.
I hung up without a word.
What the hell was that?
I stared at the phone—the cracked screen, the worn-out case.
Oh no.
I tore through my purse, heart pounding.
This wasn’t my phone.
Jake and I had switched them this morning.
This was his phone.
And that woman—Alex—had just called him “baby.”
The Trap
I didn’t go to the bank.
Instead, I ducked into a coffee shop, hands shaking as I scrolled through Jake’s messages.
“See you in thirty minutes.”
“Miss you already.”
My stomach twisted.
Then—an idea.
What if I don’t let him know I know?
I rushed home, placed his phone back on the table like nothing happened, and waited.
Sure enough, Jake came back, grinning.
“Hey! You seen my phone?”
“Right where you left it,” I said, forcing a smile.
“You’re my lifesaver,” he said, grabbing it and typing fast.
Then, without even a kiss goodbye—
“I’ll be late! Meetings. Don’t wait up!”
Meetings. Right.
I followed him.
The Other Woman
The cab stopped outside a cute little house with green shutters. Through the window, I saw her—blonde, young, laughing as Jake pulled her into his arms.
My hands clenched into fists.
I waited until Jake left, then marched up to the door and knocked.
Alex answered, blinking in surprise.
“Can I help you?”
I took a deep breath. “I think you can. I’m Jake’s wife.”
Her face went pale. “His… wife?”
“That’s right. The one paying for his farm. The one he’s lying to.”
She let out a shaky laugh, then swung the door open. “You’d better come inside.”
The Truth
Turns out, Jake had been playing us both.
He told her I was controlling, that he needed money for a divorce lawyer.
He told me the money was for our future.
Alex had already given him thousands.
And I was about to hand over everything.
But now?
Now, we had a plan.
The Final Game
Three days later, Jake sat in a fancy restaurant, smirking at Alex like he’d already won.
“So, baby,” he said, “you got the money?”
Alex played along. “I need to be sure, Jake. Where’s it really going?”
He sighed, annoyed. “Lawyers, Alex. Martha’s trying to ruin me.”
I stood up from the next table, ripped off my disguise, and dropped my wig in front of him.
“Hi, honey.”
Jake’s face went white. “Martha?! What the—”
Alex smirked. “Surprise, Jake. Your wife and your girlfriend just became best friends.”
Jake stammered, trying to laugh it off. “You two are idiots. You were both ready to give me your money. Who’s the fool here?”
I leaned in, smiling coldly. “Except I never sent the money, Jake. And Alex isn’t giving you a dime.”
His mouth dropped open.
Alex stood, tossing her napkin on the table. “We’re getting pizza. Real food—honest food. Have fun explaining this to your next victim.”
As we walked out, laughing, Jake sat there—speechless, broke, and caught.
Alex nudged me. “So… extra cheese?”
I grinned. “Extra cheese. And definitely extra wine.”
We walked away—two women who’d been played, but who’d just turned the tables on the man who thought he could fool us both.
And that?
That felt better than any farm.
