Nicole had been waiting for this moment. Years of a miserable marriage, filled with Mike’s obsession with money and status, had finally brought them to this point. But when the divorce papers were signed, she didn’t react how Mike expected.
Walking out of the lawyer’s office, Nicole looked defeated. She slouched, her expression blank, and the dark clouds above seemed to match her mood—perfectly overcast, just like the way she wanted Mike to see her. But inside, she was bursting with excitement. She was holding it all in, knowing Mike had no idea what was really going on.
As soon as the elevator doors closed, the tension released. She started to laugh—softly at first, then louder and louder. The sound echoed off the metal walls, and for a second, she might’ve looked a little crazy. But this was no breakdown. This was the moment she had been planning for weeks.
The house, the car, the money—Mike could have them all. It was what he wanted, what he’d been obsessed with for so long. And she was more than happy to let him believe he’d won. But Nicole had a trick up her sleeve he never saw coming.
When she’d agreed to give him everything in the divorce, Mike had thought he’d hit the jackpot. But little did he know, his “victory” was about to turn into a nightmare.
Weeks before, the cracks in their marriage had been obvious. Mike was obsessed with getting ahead—buying fancy cars, the biggest house, designer clothes. He wanted everyone to think he was rich and successful, and for years, Nicole played along. But their marriage was more about appearances than love, and as time went on, she knew a divorce was inevitable.
Mike didn’t want to fix things. He just wanted to “win.” He wanted everything, all of it—the house, the car, the savings. He’d made his mind up, and Nicole wasn’t going to stop him.
But she had her own plans. And giving Mike everything he wanted was just part of the strategy.
One night, Mike came home late as usual, storming through the door like a whirlwind. Nicole barely glanced up from her phone, pretending to scroll.
“We need to talk,” he said, his voice sharp and irritated.
Nicole didn’t even look at him. “What now?”
“I want a divorce,” he said, throwing his keys down on the kitchen counter like he was making some big announcement.
Nicole didn’t panic. She didn’t fight. She just nodded, her expression cool and calm, though inside she was grinning.
“Okay,” she replied, her voice steady.
He stared at her in disbelief. “That’s it? No begging? No fight?” His frustration was clear, and he was hoping for some kind of emotional reaction.
“What’s the point?” Nicole shrugged. “We both know it’s over.”
Mike’s eyes narrowed, clearly thrown off. He was expecting a battle, not her giving up without a word.
The divorce negotiations were exactly what she expected. Mike sat across from her, his smug grin barely hidden, going through his demands: the house, the car, the money. It was like he was making a shopping list.
Nicole didn’t even flinch. “Fine,” she said. “You can have it all.”
Her lawyer looked concerned, but Nicole was calm. She knew exactly what she was doing.
Mike’s face lit up. “Wait—what? You don’t want the house? The savings?” His shock was palpable.
“Nope,” she replied, leaning back, pretending to be indifferent. “It’s all yours.”
Mike puffed up with pride, clearly thinking he’d won. “Well, great! Pack your things and get out by six.”
“Sure, no problem,” Nicole said, her voice casual, like it was no big deal.
As soon as Mike left, thinking he had everything, Nicole sent a quick text: “Heading to the house to pack. Let’s proceed with the plan.”
Packing was easy. She didn’t need much—just her personal things. The house had always felt more like Mike’s trophy than a home. When she was done, she made a call.
“Hey, Mom,” she said when her mom picked up. “It’s time.”
Her mother, Barbara, had never liked Mike. From day one, she saw through him. But what Mike didn’t know was that Barbara had helped them buy the house—and she had made sure her investment came with strings attached. Strings Mike had overlooked in his greed.
The next morning, Nicole was in her cozy new apartment when her phone rang. It was Mike, and he was furious.
“You set me up!” he yelled, his voice full of rage.
Nicole put him on speakerphone, sipping her coffee. “What are you talking about, Mike?”
“Your mother! She’s in MY house! She’s taken over everything!” Mike was practically choking with anger.
Nicole smiled. “Oh, that. You forgot about the contract, didn’t you? The one that says Mom can live there anytime she wants, for as long as she wants, since she gave the down payment?”
There was a pause. Then Mike exploded. “You can’t be serious! I’ll sue! This isn’t over!”
But before he could finish, Nicole heard her mom’s voice in the background, giving orders. “Michael, take your feet off my coffee table! And stop hogging the remote!”
Nicole stifled a laugh as Mike tried to argue with her. But Barbara wasn’t having it.
“You hear me?” her mom said, still firm. “And while you’re at it, fix the grocery situation! I’m not living off frozen dinners!”
The phone clicked off. Nicole leaned back in her chair, a smile spreading across her face. Freedom never felt so good.
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