I Sold Everything for My Husband’s Dream—Until One Call Exposed the Truth
I sat at the edge of our old, creaky bed that morning. The sun hadn’t even risen yet. I stared at Jake as he slept like a baby—peaceful, like there were no bills, no stress, no big dream hanging over our heads. I gently touched his shoulder.
“Jake. Wake up. You remember—I’m going to the bank today, right?”
He opened one eye and rubbed his face.
“Morning, baby. You’re up early again, huh?”
I gave him a tired smile. “Well, who else will do it if not me?”
He chuckled softly and stretched before pulling himself out of bed. I went to make coffee, trying not to think about the huge envelope sitting on the shelf—my last savings, the money from my parents’ house and my car. Every time I thought about that house, I saw my mom’s face, sitting on the porch with her favorite book. Selling it had nearly broken me. But I did it. For Jake. For us.
He came into the kitchen, grabbed his mug, and sat across from me.
“Martha,” he said, looking straight into my eyes. “You know I love you, right? You’re my rock. I couldn’t have gotten this far without you.”
I smiled faintly. “Tell me again. What’s our plan?”
He sat up straighter, eyes lighting up with excitement. He spread his arms wide like he was already embracing a whole new world.
“We’ll get our land, baby. A real farm. Clean, fresh milk. No chemicals. Our name on every bottle, every jar. People will drive for hours just to taste what we grow. This is just the beginning.”
I nodded slowly. “And Benny? When will we send him to a proper school?”
Jake reached over and touched my hand. “Soon. I promise. Selling that lake house? That was the start. And now, your money—that’s the final piece.”
I looked at the envelope again. “I’ll go deposit it in your account today.”
He leaned forward, brushing his fingers along my cheek. “You have no idea how much I adore you. No one has ever done this much for me. You’re not just my wife—you’re my partner.”
I whispered, “Because we’re family, Jake. You said this farm was our dream.”
He smiled and kissed my forehead. “And it is. Nothing’s going to break us. You’re my lucky charm.”
I believed him.
I got dressed and grabbed the envelope. Jake gave me one last hug at the door. I felt like I was doing the right thing. Helping the man I loved. Supporting his dream. Our future.
But just ten minutes later, one phone call would change everything.
I stood at the bus stop, shivering in my thin coat as cold wind rushed past me. The bank wasn’t far—just a twenty-minute ride. I held the envelope tightly, imagining Jake hugging me once I returned, maybe even lifting me off the ground like he used to.
But deep inside… something felt off.
Am I giving too much? Am I the only one holding this marriage up?
As I stood lost in thought, my purse buzzed. I reached in and pulled out the phone.
ALEX.
I frowned. Who the hell was Alex? I didn’t know anyone by that name.
I hesitated… then pressed answer.
“Hey, baby…”
The voice was soft. Feminine. Sweet like syrup.
“You’re not answering. Did she leave already? I’ve been waiting all night… I’m so tired of this hiding…”
I froze.
I didn’t say a word. Just hit End Call and stared at the screen.
That voice. That name.
And then… I noticed something.
The cracked corner. The worn leather case.
This wasn’t my phone.
“Damn it…” I whispered.
I yanked open my purse, dumping everything out. My lipstick, keys, receipts—all there. But my phone? Gone.
We’d switched phones this morning without realizing it.
And now I had his.
Alex’s voice echoed in my head.
“I’ve been waiting for you all night…”
My stomach turned.
I didn’t go to the bank. I couldn’t. My hands were shaking too hard. Instead, I ducked into the nearest coffee shop and ordered a drink I didn’t touch. I sat down and opened his messages.
Jake: “See you in 30.”
Alex: “Miss you already ❤️”
It felt like someone dropped ice into my chest. The man I just gave everything to… was giving his heart to someone else.
But then a new idea crept in.
What if I didn’t say anything? What if I just watched? Let him dig his own grave?
I slipped out of the café and rushed back home. Quietly, I set his phone on the kitchen table like I’d never touched it. Then I waited.
Jake came back, smiling like nothing had happened. He peeked through the door.
“Hey! Did you see my phone?”
“On the table,” I replied, my voice steady. “Right where you left it.”
He blew me a kiss. “You’re my lifesaver!”
He picked up the phone, typed something quickly, then turned to leave.
“I’ll be late. Big meetings. Don’t wait up!”
Yeah, right. Meetings.
The moment he was gone, I threw on my coat and called a cab. I told the driver to wait, then followed Jake from a distance. We pulled up to a cute little house with green shutters.
Then I saw her.
A blonde woman in a cozy sweater opened the door and greeted Jake with a hug and a kiss.
That’s all I needed.
I told the driver to wait, then once Jake drove off again, I marched up to the door and knocked.
Alex looked young—maybe thirty. She blinked at me in confusion.
“Yes?”
“I’m Jake’s wife,” I said bluntly.
Her face turned pale.
“His… wife?”
“Martha,” I said. “The woman who just sold her parents’ lake house to fund his dream. The woman raising his son while he plays farm-boy and lover-boy.”
She opened the door wider. “Come in. I don’t want the neighbors hearing this.”
Her hands were shaking.
“Let me guess,” I said. “You’re the one he’s leaving me for?”
Alex nodded slowly. “Yes. He told me you were a nightmare. That he needed money to pay for divorce lawyers. I gave him some already… I was going to give more.”
I stared at her.
“I was on my way to the bank. That money? I was about to give him everything I had left.”
She gasped. “You didn’t, did you?”
“No. But I almost did. Until I heard your voice.”
Alex collapsed into a chair. She looked heartbroken.
“I sold my shares in my dad’s company for him. He said we’d get a house together. Start fresh.”
I sat beside her.
“He’s using both of us.”
Her eyes welled up. “So what now?”
I looked her in the eye.
“Now? We let him keep playing his game—until we pull the rug out from under him.”
Alex wiped her tears. Then nodded.
“Tell me everything.”
Over the next few days, we planned everything.
I told Jake I’d sent the money—just like he wanted.
“It’ll clear in three days,” I said, smiling sweetly.
Alex did her part too. She promised Jake more money was coming. They set up a dinner date at a fancy restaurant.
What Jake didn’t know was… I’d be there too.
I arrived first, dressed in a blonde wig, an old coat, and a scarf. I slipped into a booth just behind their table.
Ten minutes later, Jake walked in, all smiles.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, kissing Alex on the cheek. “You look amazing.”
Alex didn’t smile back.
“I want to talk about the money.”
Jake frowned. “Again?”
“Just to be sure,” she said. “Why so much, Jake?”
“It’s for us. For the lawyers. Martha wants to ruin me. You know that.”
I nearly laughed out loud.
Then Alex dropped her napkin. Our signal.
I stood up and walked over. Jake didn’t notice me until I ripped off the wig.
“Hi, honey,” I said, sweetly. “Mind if I join you?”
Jake turned pale. “Martha?! What the hell—”
Alex crossed her arms. “Surprise, Jake. Looks like your two ‘investors’ compared notes.”
“You idiots,” Jake growled. “You were both going to give me money. Who’s the real fool?”
I leaned in. “Except I didn’t. I caught you, Jake. You left your phone with me. And Alex? She’s smarter than you think.”
Jake went silent. I pulled out a dollar and dropped it on the table.
“Here. This is the only money you’re getting from me.”
Alex stood. “We’re going for pizza. Real food. Real company.”
As we left, Jake sputtered, trying to come up with something to say.
Alex nudged me as we walked outside.
“You ever think we’d end up on the same team?”
I laughed. “Never. But I like it.”
She smiled. “Extra cheese?”
“Always. And wine too.”
We walked off together—two women who gave too much, but finally took something back.
And this time, we weren’t looking back.
